Sept. 27 is quickly approaching, and all staff working for a New York State hospital or nursing home will be required to get the vaccine. Everyone else in healthcare is required to by Oct. 7. Republicans warn that this could be a disaster.
Republican officials have penned a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, stating that mass resignation letters are already being submitted to facilities across the state.
Senator Rob Ortt stated that out of 300 employees currently working at the Northgate Health Care Facility in North Tonawanda, over 90 are likely to leave.
He added that the federal mandate requiring staff to become vaccinated in Medicaid and Medicare facilities was just as problematic.
Buffalo Center and Ellicott Center nursing homes have said they’ve heard of people threatening to resign, but have not received anything.
Stephen Hanse, the president of the New York State Health Facilities Association and New York State Center for Assisted Living, wrote to Zucker asking for a test-out option, even if it’s temporary.
He stated that 94% of 201 skilled nursing providers have said that they’re experiencing staffing shortages even without the mandate.
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