JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Local hospitals are still figuring out how to move forward now that the federal vaccine mandate for health care workers has taken effect.
Hospitals that fire employees over their vax status face fines up to $50,000 per violation under state law, but at least two local hospitals say they plan to comply with the federal mandate, which could mean staffing cuts in the hundreds.
In a statement, HCA Healthcare, which runs Memorial Hospital and Orange Park Medical Center said both hospitals will follow the federal mandate.
“If we do not comply with the CMS mandate, we could compromise our ability to serve our communities and provide care to patients under the Medicare and Medicaid programs,” said an HCA Healthcare spokesperson.
Action News Jax Medical Expert Dr. Michelle Aquino said the mandate is necessary to ensure the safety of at-risk patients, who are at high risk of negative outcomes from COVID.
“Absolutely everyone in healthcare that is frontline taking care of patients, needs to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Aquino.
The two hospitals have a combined workforce of over 3,000.
“Approximately 90% of our colleagues have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have been approved for a vaccine exemption for medical or religious reasons,” said an HCA Healthcare spokesperson.
We were told Friday afternoon the hospitals are still working to get employees vaccinated and their numbers are improving by the hour.
Mary Mayhew, head of the Florida Hospital Association, hopes the federal government considers the chronic staffing shortages Florida’s health care industry is currently experiencing when it looks to enforce its mandate.
“You’re still talking about thousands of employees statewide and frankly, one nurse that isn’t available to be at the hospital is challenging,” said Mayhew.
The Attorney General’s Office told us in a statement it plans to review any complaints from fired employees for possible violations of Florida law banning vaccine mandates.
The Attorney General’s Office is also considering its next steps in the state’s lawsuit against the federal mandate for health care workers.
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