LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS
What is LeadingAge Kansa Doing About the Vaccine Mandate?
We have received many concerns over the published IFR from CMS about the Vaccine Mandate. Rest assured; we are on it. Here are a few of things that have happened over the past 72 hours:
On the Federal Level
- Asked LeadingAge National if they will be taking legal action to roll back or seriously modify the mandate.
- Contacted members of Congress
- Hosting a meeting with a staff member from Senator Marshall’s office today
At the State Level
- We have contacted the Kansas AG to see what we can do to support him in his effort to join other states in filing suit, particularly on the healthcare worker mandate
- We will be sending out a Press Release statewide applauding AG Schmidt for his efforts
- Rachel is covering the legislative committee* holding hearings today about the mandates.
- We previously submitted testimony against the mandate the legislative committee outlining our concerns
- Talk/coordinate with other healthcare-related associations about their plans for advocacy and crowdsource resources to help with compliance
Please note: The Kansas Legislature has virtually no authority over a CMS mandate. Its important to tell our story and let Legislators know how it impacts you locally, which ultimately impacts their future policy decisions.
What Can You Do?
- We urge you to contact your Congressmen at the Federal Level
- Let them know how this is impacting your ability to recruit employees
- Is it going to impact you financially?
- How does it affect the number of residents you can admit?
Tools from LeadingAge Kansas
- We are sourcing a toolkit to help you develop your policies and procedures and provide legal resources, etc. If you would like to contribute to the toolkit for the greater good of other members, please contact Debra Zehr.
Join Us for Our Weekly Webinars Updating You on the Week’s Happenings
This week will focus on the vaccine mandate and what we are doing. If you haven’t already done so, register here for upcoming calls through the end of the year.
STATE NEWS
Kansas COVID-19 Cluster Summary
As of November 10th, there are 7 long-term care facilities with clusters and 3 are LeadingAge Kansas Members.
Statewide Active COVID-19 Clusters
- Clusters: 143
- Cases: 1,428
- Hospitalizations: 44
Kansas COVID-19: Case Rates
- Cases: 445,089
- Total Case Rate Per 1,000: 152.78
- Daily Cases Diagnosed: 50
Long-Term Care Facilities with Active Cluster Case Information
- Clusters: 43
- Cases: 446
- Hospitalizations: 33
Source: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas
VACCINE NEWS
Kansas COVID-19 Vaccination Overview
- 3,275,464 Total Doses Reported as Administered
– First Dose: 1,685,657
– Second Dose: 1,367,952 - Third Dose: 221,856
- 4,241,070 Total Doses Distributed
– State Distributed: 2,549,070 - 54.4% of Kansans Vaccinated with One Dose
- 48.0% of Kansas Completed COVID-19 Vaccine Series
Source: https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data
LEADINGAGE NATIONAL NEWS
Letter to CMS Administrator Seeking Clarification on CMS IFR
Yesterday, Katie Sloan sent a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure seeking answers to members’ questions concerning the Interim Final Rule on vaccinations. Among the questions are whether the rule applies to entire entities or just the CMS certified parts; the definition of “additional precautions” for unvaccinated staff; timing of contingency plans; requirements for new hires after January 4; more clarify on medical exemptions; how to handle vaccinating staff under the age of 18 whose parents or guardians won’t consent; types of contractors/services that might be eligible for an exception; and clarity on applicability to Medicaid home care services.
RESOURCES
Resources on Vaccine Mandates
Here is an update with vaccine resources in one place regarding the CMS Interim Final Rule, the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), Federal Contractor rules, and information from the Health Action Alliance including templates.
New Manual on Serving Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness
Yesterday, the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a clinical manual, Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness. The manual provides considerations and strategies for interdisciplinary teams, peer specialists, clinicians, RNs, behavioral health organizations, and policy makers to understand, select, and implement evidence-based interventions that support older adults with serious mental illness. Download the new manual here.
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