On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court voted to allow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate for healthcare workers to stand.

Healthcare facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs must ensure eligible staff are fully vaccinated by February 28, 2022, or they must be covered by a medical or religious exemption.

Facilities that are found to be out of compliance with the rule could be subject to civil monetary penalties, denial of payment, or termination from Medicare and Medicaid programs.

In light if this new ruling, Southeast Health will require all eligible staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or request exemptions based on recognized medical conditions or religious beliefs, observances or practices by the deadline.