NPHI Hosts Discussion Focused on Supporting Members Through the COVID-19 Vaccination Process
Today, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) hosted Lauren West, Of Counsel, Morgan Lewis, to lead a discussion focused on the current landscape of employer obligations, responsibilities, and rights to encourage, incentivize, or potentially require COVID-19 vaccination amongst their employees. As part of this presentation, Lauren discussed potential liability concerns that may arise as a result of employers requiring vaccination. She also addressed issues specifically related to the legal differences between full FDA authorization and the Emergency Use Authorize (EUA) that all currently available COVID-19 vaccines have been granted. Additionally, this session provided members with an opportunity to discuss other top of mind COVID-19 related issues.
“As safe and clinically effective vaccines become increasingly available to not-for-profit hospice and palliative care providers, so to do the questions surrounding their legal obligations to encourage or potentially require their staff to be inoculated.” Said Tom Koutsoumpas, CEO of NPHI “Fortunately, our legal partners at Morgan Lewis were able to help put our programs at ease by providing them with the latest federal guidance and information on how best to handle this delicate situation, while prioritizing trust and accountability among staff.”
The conversation, entitled “NPHI Member Engagement Call: COVID-19 Update”, was part of a biweekly series of NPHI-hosted discussions to address today’s pressing hospice topics through engagement with health policy experts, thought leaders, and other industry innovators.
The discussion was meant to present and educate NPHI’s membership on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance regarding requiring vaccines and caveats as they apply to different employers, the potential impact on employee morale and related administrative burdens. Additionally, Lauren provided attendees with detailed information on liability concerns regarding workers’ compensation and allowed time for a question-and-answer session to address concerns on vaccine safety and the associated legal implications. Click here to learn more about this series or how to become an NPHI member.
About the National Partnership for Healthcare & Hospice Innovation
The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is a collaborative of 70+ not-for-profit, community-integrated, advanced illness, and hospice providers from across the United States who play a unique role as a crucial safety net for the sickest, most vulnerable patients in the communities they serve. For more information, visit www.nphihealth.org
About Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Morgan Lewis employs more than 2,200 lawyers and specialists provides comprehensive corporate, transactional, litigation, and regulatory services in major industries, including energy, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, retail and ecommerce, sports, technology, and transportation. They focus on both immediate and long-term goals with our clients, helping them address and anticipate challenges across vast and rapidly changing landscapes. For more information, visit https://www.morganlewis.com/