The new action removes financial penalties tied to COVID-era staff vaccination disclosures and intends to protect medical decision-making.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the repeal of a policy that had tied hospital reimbursement to reporting staff vaccination rates. Originally implemented under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this policy required hospitals to report employee vaccination data as a condition for full federal funding.
“Medical decisions should be made based on one thing: the wellbeing of the person – never on a financial bonus or a government mandate,” said Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Doctors deserve the freedom to use their training, follow the science, and speak the truth-without fear of punishment.”
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz emphasized the move as a step toward restoring clinical freedom for health providers, allowing them to make decisions based on individual care rather than government benchmarks. The reporting data, which was formerly published on the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network, is no longer required.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for Secretary Kennedy as he eliminates federal payments tied to vaccination reporting for hospital staff.
- For Administrator Oz to be discerning as he heads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Sources: Department of Health and Human Services
