NY releases plan to address health care staffing shortages

New York – Saturday morning Governor Hochul released a plan, to combat staffing shortages in hospitals and other healthcare facilities as New York prepares for Monday’s vaccination deadline for healthcare workers.

The plan includes declaring a state of emergency to employ qualified healthcare professionals licensed in other states, countries, recent graduates and retirees to practice in New York.

Deployment of medically-trained National Guard personnel is also an option.

“We are still in a battle against COVID to protect our loved ones, and we need to fight with every tool at our disposal, I am monitoring the staffing situation closely, and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities,” said Gov. Hochul. “I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care.”

All health care workers in New York State, at hospitals and nursing homes, are to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive their first dose by Monday, September 27, according to the regulation issued by the State Department of Health.

According to the Department, home care, hospice, and adult care facilities are to be vaccinated by October 7.

As of September 22, 2021, 84% of hospital employees in New York are fully vaccinated.