AHA today urged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to withdraw its Emergency Temporary Standard for occupational exposure to COVID-19, or at least allow the interim final rule to expire rather than issue a final rule. 

“Considering hospitals’ and health systems’ long-standing commitment to adhering to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s] science-based guidance and recommendations and the strong movement towards vaccinating all health care workers, we do not believe that the ETS is necessary,” AHA said in comments submitted to the agency on the interim final rule. 

If OSHA declines to withdraw the ETS, AHA strongly urged the agency to delay the ETS compliance dates for at least six months and address discrepancies between the ETS requirements and CDC guidelines, among other recommendations.

“Hospitals and health systems are struggling under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic’s fourth wave and have told us that although they remain committed to following the CDC’s guidance, they need more time to fully implement the ETS’ many new requirements,” AHA said. 
 

Related News Articles

Headline
The House Budget Committee May 18 advanced the fiscal year 2025 budget reconciliation bill by a 17-16 vote along party lines, as four Republicans who…
Headline
The House Energy and Commerce Committee today advanced by a 30-24 vote along party lines its portion of the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation bill following a…
Headline
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. May 14 testified on President Trump’s discretionary budget proposal for fiscal year…
Headline
The House Ways and Means Committee today advanced its portion of the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation bill by a 26-19 vote along party lines, following an hours…
Headline
The House Energy and Commerce Committee May 13 began to mark up its portion of the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation bill. The committee has been instructed to…
Headline
The House Ways and Means Committee May 13 began to mark up its portion of the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation bill, with some proposals impacting the health…