NJ COVID-19 vaccination mandate for, among others, the State's corrections officers, upheld.

NJ COVID-19 vaccination mandate for, among others, the State's corrections officers, upheld. The App Div court held that the Civilian Defense and Disaster Control Act, N.J.S.A. App. A:9-33 to -63, empowered the Governor to issue the order and that the order's vaccination mandate was rationally and adequately tailored to the problem posed. #NJExOrder283 #COVID #VaccineMandate

NJ vaccine mandate imposed for Health Care Workers and others

NJ Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 283, requiring covered workers at health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including having received a booster dose. All covered workers will be required to be vaccinated by the dates set forth in the Order and will no longer be permitted to submit to testing as an alternative to vaccination, except for the purposes of providing accommodation for individuals exempt from vaccination as set forth in the covered setting’s vaccination policy. This requirement aims to strengthen protections against the spread of COVID-19 and the highly transmissible Omicron variant to vulnerable populations across the state.

CMS Health Care Workers Vaccination Deadline March 15, 2022

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance that the full vaccination compliance deadline is March 15, 2022, for all health care workers subject to the Omnibus Health Care Staff Vaccination rule.

Governor Murphy Reinstates Public Health Emergency Triggering Presumptions of Compensability

Governor Phil Murphy today reinstated a Public Health Emergency, effective immediately, in order to ensure that the State is able to respond to the continued threat of COVID-19 and the rapidly spreading Omicron variant. The declaration of a public health emergency by statute triggers the workers’ compensation compensability presumptions for essential workers.

Telehealth Extended for Two Years in New Jersey

Governor Murphy yesterday signed legislation (S-2559-12/21/2021 Approved P.L.2021, c.310) that extends for the next two years the requirement adopted at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic that health benefits plans reimburse health care providers for telehealth and telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person services, with limited exceptions. 

OMG, Omicron!

A panel of infectious disease experts and public health specialists of the Veterans Administration who have been involved in the national COVID response discuss strategies to contain the spread of the Omicron variant and stay safe.

CMS Announces 2022 Workers' Compensation Recovery Threshold to Remain at $750.00

Computation of Annual Recovery Thresholds for Certain Liability Insurance, No-Fault Insurance, and Workers' Compensation Settlements, Judgments, Awards, or Other Payments for 2022 were announced this week.

Appellate Court Upholds the Biden Administration Vaccine Mandate for Florida Health Care Workers

Over the last several months, the Biden ministration has targeted over 100 million workers for mandatory vaccination or, in the alternative regular Covid testing. The three groups are Federal contractors, Health Care Workers, and companies employing 100 or more workers [OSHA Temporary Emergency Standard].

Biden Administration Targets Occupational Exposure to PFAS

The Biden-Harris Administration announced accelerated efforts to protect American workers from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can cause severe health problems and persist in the environment once released, posing a severe threat across rural, suburban, and urban areas. 

CDC Approves Pfizer Booster Dose for those at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational settings

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) recommendation for a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in specific populations and also recommended a booster dose for those in high risk occupational and institutional settings.

Warehouse Workers' Injuries Are Increasing as Employers Use Artificial Intelligence

An increase of injuries suffered by warehouse workers, fueled by employers' use of artificial intelligence, is getting legislative attention. The focus is on Amazon and other major retail giants whose business has exploded since the COVID Pandemic emerged.

NJ Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Instituting Vaccination or Testing Requirement for All Child Care Center Personnel

NJ Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 264, requiring all child care center personnel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1 or be subject to COVID-19 testing at minimum one to two times per week. Additionally, effective September 24, and in accordance with CDC recommendations, the Order also clarifies that all employees, visitors, students, and children aged two and over must wear facemasks indoors, with limited exceptions. These requirements will strengthen protections against COVID-19 to children in these settings who are all under 12 years old and not yet eligible for vaccination.

Investing for the Next Pandemic

Preparing for the next pandemic is an essential need for all employers, employees, and insurance companies.  The failure of the public health system to handle COVID-19 is evident as the death toll (675,400) fatalities) has now exceeded the 1918 Spanish Flu mortality rate.  The US CDC is encouraging preparation by announcing the opportunity for final investment. It is also incumbent upon the workers’ compensation industry to expand its efforts for pandemic preparation  

California Implements First-in-the-Nation Measures to Encourage State Employees and Health Care Workers to Get Vaccinated

The State of California is taking decisive action to combat the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable communities – implementing a first-in-the-nation standard to require all state workers and workers in health care and high-risk congregate settings to either show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per week, and encourage all local government and other employers to adopt a similar protocol.

VA mandates COVID-19 vaccines among its medical employees including VHA facilities staff

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced he will make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for Title 38 VA health care personnel — including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, expanded-function dental auxiliaries and chiropractors — who work in Veterans Health Administration facilities, visit VHA facilities or provide direct care to those VA serves.

HHS Announces $103 Million from American Rescue Plan to Strengthen Resiliency and Address Burnout in the Health Workforce

 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of an estimated $103 million in American Rescue Plan funding over a three-year period to reduce burnout and promote mental health among the health workforce. 

OSHA issues updated enforcement guidance for inspections

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a memorandum updating its enforcement guidance for compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) when inspecting tree care and tree removal operations.

Vaccines highly effective against hospitalization from Delta variant

An encouraging analysis by PHE shows for the first time that two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalization from the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. Unfortunately, those who aren’t vaccinated face increased risk. 

OSHA Finally Acts: Is It Too Little and Too Late?

Today OSHA released a COVID Emergency Temporary Standard [ETS] for health care workers and guidance for workers, not in a health care setting. OSHA’s action comes about a year and a half after the COVID-19 Pandemic began and when over half of the nation’s workforce has already the protection of received an initial vaccination.

Neurological symptoms like fatigue common in mild COVID

Neurological and psychiatric symptoms such as fatigue and depression are common among people with Covid-19 and maybe just as likely in people with mild cases, according to a new review study led by a UCL researcher.