State takes ‘aggressive’ approach, requiring COVID vaccination of assisted living workers
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Aug 17, 2021
With backing from senior living and healthcare associations, Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced last week a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the state’s healthcare workers, including assisted living and...
Education, mandates, incentives drive high long-term care staff COVID-19 vaccination rates
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 27, 2021
Hawaii’s assisted living and other long-term care facilities are beating the odds — and national averages — by achieving an average 84% staff COVID-19 vaccination rate. Elsewhere, some providers...
Lifting of states of emergency effectively ends many pandemic regulations for some senior living providers
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Sep 22, 2022
The lifting of COVID-19 states of emergency in two states — and the rescission of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in one of the country’s largest cities — effectively ends many pandemic regulations affecting...
Proposed law would prohibit assisted living providers from mandating, requesting or asking about any...
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jun 15, 2021
An Ohio bill targeting vaccine passports is written broadly enough that it could weaken the state’s vaccination laws for all vaccines — not just COVID-19 ones — and place senior housing providers...
Senators, state execs send pleas for release of aid to senior living providers
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Aug 24, 2021
As senior living providers and advocates continue calls to the federal government to release Provider Relief Funds, two senators are circulating a letter in search of signatures, to try to add pressure...
Massachusetts officials reject groups’ call to keep mask mandate after PHE expires
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Apr 10, 2023
Plans to drop a mask mandate in healthcare settings — including residential care facilities — next month are moving forward in Massachusetts, despite outcries from some health professionals and organizations...
Survey highlights ‘urgent need’ for staffing in assisted living, skilled nursing
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Sep 30, 2021
A workforce-focused survey of Texas assisted living community and nursing home providers highlights the “urgent need” for state lawmakers to address severe workforce shortages in long-term care.
Ohio drops assisted living staff testing requirement; Florida ends all pandemic restrictions
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 05, 2021
Fully vaccinated assisted living staff in Ohio now are exempt from routine COVID-19 testing, according to a new Ohio Department of Health order.
Oregon law may prevent operators from mandating COVID vaccines for some workers; Colorado mandates testing...
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jul 27, 2021
Although national long-term care and healthcare groups are backing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for workers, a 32-year-old law might prevent some operators in one state from moving forward on that front....
Operators see victory in amendment to bill that would have prohibited them from asking staff about vaccine...
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 03, 2021
A bill under consideration in Montana, which would prohibit employers from asking about and creating protocols related to an individual’s vaccination status, would exempt assisted living communities...