DOH has verified that capacity issues exist in both nurse aide training and testing and will be sending a statewide or county waiver to CMS on behalf of those facilities that received approval for a TNA to CNA program under the 1135 waiver and have responded to the weekly Drupal.

A state DOH official has told LeadingAge NY that, based on CMS instructions, its nursing home surveyors will apply the old COVID vaccine "up-to-date" definition, requiring only the monovalent booster, until further notice.

LeadingAge NY submitted comments on the nursing home PPE stockpile regulations last week. We seek member input by July 15^th for inclusion in the association's comments on proposed vaccination offer regulations for nursing home and ACF residents and staff.

In an email to LeadingAge NY on June 29, 2022, DOH indicated that the November 2020 beauty salon guidance for nursing homes is no longer in effect and provided several principles for salon operations.

DOH advised LeadingAge NY that any facility that wishes to continue using a Paid Feeding Assistant Program would need to implement the required 15 hours of training. In addition, any facility that was allowed to have a Paid Feeding Assistant Program under the federal waiver should send a letter to the Department, as explained on page 5 of the DOH curriculum manual.

Members are encouraged to submit comments to DOH by July 7, 2022. Members are also invited to share their feedback with LeadingAge NY for inclusion in the association's comments.