Healthcare Roundup: Federal Funding for Health Staffing, Nurse Pay Hikes, Booster Shots, and More

WY Gov Allocates Federal Funds for Health Staffing:

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) announced he is allocating $30 million in federal funds to provide bolster heath care staffing across the state. The first $20 million will be utilized by facilities on a discretionary basis to stabilize staffing levels, with the remaining $10 million allocated for private hospitals and long-term care facilities for traveling medical staff through a contract with the Wyoming Hospital Association. (COWBOY STATE DAILY)

KS Approves Nurse Pay Hikes:

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) and lawmakers agreed to utilize $50 million in federal pandemic aid on pay hikes for Sunflower State nurses. But Republican lawmakers are threatening to hold up the funding unless it is limited to hospitals that don’t require staff to be vaccinated. (WICHITA EAGLE)

Booster Shots Okay’d in MD:

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced that elderly and immunocompromised Old-Line Staters are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. In a statement, Hogan said the boosters are now available to “all Marylanders 65 and older who are living in congregate care settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential drug treatment centers, and developmentally disabled group homes.” (HILL, MARYLAND GOVERNOR’S OFFICE) 

NY Gov Increases Worker COVID Protections:

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced the state Department of Health has designated COVID-19 as a highly contagious airborne infectious disease under the state’s HERO Act, which requires all employers to implement workplace safety plans in the event of an airborne infectious disease and bars employer retaliation, discrimination or actions taken against an employee for following the requirements of these plans, reporting concerns on the implementation of a plan, or refusing to work. (ALBANY TIMES-UNION)

ID Enters Crisis Care Protocol:

For the first time in state history, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare moved the state into “crisis standards of care.” The designation applies predominantly to the northern part of the state, but officials said the rest of the state is very close to being in the same conditions.

“What it means is if you go to the hospital, you should expect a longer wait time,” said Idaho Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen. “You may not be seen in a traditional space; in fact, you may be seen in a classroom or a hallway, or you may be sent to a different hospital that has more capacity.” (IDAHO CAPITAL SUN)

MA Vaccine Mandates Get Green Light:

The Massachusetts Public Health Council approved Gov. Charlie Baker’s (R) mandate that all home care workers and staff at rest homes, assisted living residences, and hospice programs are fully vaccinated. The administration said the new mandates will apply to up to 100,000 home care workers, 62 freestanding rest homes, 85 hospice programs, and 268 assisted living residences. Those workers will have until October 31^st to get vaccinated or obtain a religious or medical exemption. (STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE [BOSTON])

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN