El Paso hospitals await guidance on Biden’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers
EL PASO, Texas -- President Joe Biden recently ordered new vaccine requirements that will affect 100 million Americans, including healthcare workers.
In a speech last Thursday, the president said any healthcare worker in a facility that receives federal funding must get the vaccine. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is working on extending the vaccine requirement to hospitals, home-health agencies, and dialysis centers. The same thing was done to nursing home employees this past summer.
“We’ve been patient but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us. So please, let’s do the right thing," Biden said.
ABC-7 reached out to hospitals in El Paso to see how they are preparing.
University Medical Center said they are waiting for my guidance from the CMS about the deadline to get vaccines and if there are any exemptions, such as religion or health reasons.
UMC has implemented their own vaccination program and they say 94% of their staff is already fully vaccinated. A UMC spokesman said the other 6% not vaccinated are either new employees, those with medical exemptions, and Covid recoveries.
Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare issued a statement saying they are reviewing the president's plan and will respond accordingly. The statement added, "our infectious disease experts have been strongly encouraging vaccination as a critical step to protect individuals from the virus."
