Twelve states yesterday filed a federal lawsuit in Louisiana challenging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ interim final rule requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in most health care settings that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, including hospitals and health systems. Filed by attorneys general in Louisiana, Montana, Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia, the lawsuit claims the interim final rule exceeds CMS’ statutory authority, violates the Administrative Procedure Act and other laws, and is unconstitutional, and seeks to stop the agency from imposing the vaccine mandate. 

Ten other states last week challenged the interim final rule in federal court in Missouri, seeking to prevent the Administration from enforcing it without prior notice and comment under the APA. Under the CMS regulation, all eligible workers must be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022.
 

Related News Articles

Headline
A study published April 28 by Health Affairs Scholar found low-income adults living in states with Medicaid expansion experienced an average 9.5% relative…
Headline
The AHA April 30 released a report highlighting how hospitals and health systems continue to experience significant financial headwinds that can challenge…
News
The AHA April 29 urged majority and minority leaders in both the Senate and House to not make disruptive policy changes to Medicaid and other coverage options…
Headline
The Supreme Court April 29 ruled 7-2 in favor of the Department of Health and Human Services in a case that challenged how HHS applied Congress’ formula for…
Headline
Twelve House Republicans April 14 sent a letter to House leadership voicing their opposition to potential Medicaid cuts. The lawmakers said they support “…
Headline
The AHA yesterday released two new resources highlighting the significance of Medicaid and the potential impacts if Congress makes cuts to the program. An…