Vaccine Mandate Leaves Health-Care Providers Lamenting Omissions (1)

The health-care community was digesting a sweeping vaccine mandate Thursday, praising its aim but bemoaning notable omissions in the directive that requires 17 million workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19 by Jan. 4.

Most of the nursing home industry’s recommendations for the new rule didn’t materialize. Most importantly, the mandate doesn’t allow unvaccinated workers to be regularly tested in order to remain on the job.

In addition, the interim final rule (RIN 0938-AU75) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could also allow some workers in the home health industry who don’t want the jab to seek employment at ...