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Oct. 12th COVID-19 Update

New updates pertaining to the COVID-19 emergency continue to be announced by both the state and federal government on a regular basis. The latest developments for providers of long-term/post-acute care (LTPAC) and senior services are reviewed below.

As a reminder, LeadingAge NY continues to convene weekly webinars on Mondays at 11 a.m. to address emerging questions on COVID-19. A recording of our most recent webinar, held on Tues., Oct. 12th due to Columbus Day, is available here, and a list of the items shared by LeadingAge NY staff in the webinar chat can be accessed here. If you have questions for next week’s update or would like the access information, please contact Jeff Diamond.

Cross-Sector Updates

LeadingAge NY Working on Several Fronts to Address Workforce Shortages

LeadingAge NY has been working on many fronts in the past week to help members address workforce issues, with staff writing to the Governor’s Secretary for Health and the Department of Health (DOH) Executive Deputy Commissioner on staffing issues, presenting to the Public Health and Health Planning Council, and reaching out to high-level DOH staff about federal strike team and infrastructure project funding for nursing homes. The association will also be convening a joint cabinet workforce task force. Click here for more information on our efforts.

LeadingAge NY Advocates for More Support and Flexibilities as Oct. 7th Vaccine Mandate Deadline Arrives

LeadingAge NY continues to advocate for critical workforce support, funding, and flexibilities as the next round of health care personnel in adult care facilities (ACFs), home care, and hospice agencies are required to comply with the State's Oct. 7th vaccination mandate deadline. We continue to share provider challenges, closures, and staff losses with DOH and emphasize that providers are in a critical state due to years of staff shortages, staff losses during the pandemic, and this newest wave of staff terminations due to vaccine refusal. Our recent letter to Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker is available here.

Provider members should reach out to LeadingAge NY staff with updates regarding your staffing challenges and any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have for recommended flexibilities as we continue through this challenge.

HERO Act Requires Employers to Permit Safety Committee

While aspects of New York State’s HERO Act do not apply to members that adhere to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), all employers with 10 or more employees must permit workers to establish and administer a joint labor-management workplace safety committee by Nov. 1, 2021. This requirement applies regardless of whether the employer is held to the OSHA ETS. Click here for more information.

CDC Issues Additional Warning Regarding COVID-19's Impact on Pregnant and Lactating Individuals

On Sept. 29th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an advisory recommending urgent action to increase COVID-19 vaccination among people who are pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future. Click here for more information.

Provider Relief Funding Applications Due Oct. 26th; Webinar on Supporting Documentation Tomorrow

We remind members to submit applications for Phase 4 and Rural Distributions of federal Provider Relief Funding (PRF) before the Oct. 26th deadline. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that administers the PRF, has scheduled webinars on Oct. 13th at 3 p.m. (register here) and Oct. 21st at 3 p.m. (register here) to review the supporting documentation required of applicants. An archived webinar providing an overview of the opportunity and an introduction to the application portal is available here. Application instructions as well as a sample application form and various other helpful resources are available here, and a comprehensive overview is here.

Nursing Home Updates

LeadingAge NY Seeks Member Input on Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Interest

As you may know, there are two forms of monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies available presently: an hour-long IV infusion and a series of four Subcutaneous (SQ) injections (each injection given in a separate location). Strict criteria exist for inclusion and exclusion based on the emergency use authorization (EUA) documents issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These EUA documents, linked below, must be followed explicitly, as these medications are not FDA-approved.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) for residents has also been granted EUA and is in practice in some long term care facilities using the same medications.

LeadingAge NY is inquiring from members if there is further interest in or questions about mAb therapy, and if so, we will put together a presentation at a future date detailing the specifics of patient/resident monitoring, equipment specifics, emergency measures, and more.

The EUA documents are linked below for your reference:

Please email Mark Kepner-Clough with your interest in a future program on this topic by Oct. 22nd.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Updates

DOH Adds Questions to LHCSA HERDS Staffing Survey

Licensed home care services agencies (LHCSAs) should note that on Oct. 11th, DOH issued an Integrated Health Alerting and Notification System (IHANS) message regarding the addition of some questions to the LHCSA Staffing Survey starting Oct. 12th. Click here to view the alert.

Affordable Housing/Independent Living Updates

HUD Updates: CSP FAQ and Notice Requirements for Evictions

In response to advocacy from LeadingAge National, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is allowing key relief payment deadline flexibility for capital cost reimbursements due to COVID-19. HUD announced the change in a 20-question COVID-19 Supplemental Payment (CSP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that answers questions from LeadingAge National and others. In addition, on Oct. 7th, HUD published a Notice requiring HUD-assisted owners and public housing agencies (PHAs) to provide no less than 30 days’ advance notification of lease termination due to nonpayment of rent. Click here for more information.