U.S. Congressman from South Carolina's 3rd District Jeff Duncan led a letter signed by 44 congressional members. The letter outlined concerns with the practicality and morality of a vaccine mandate for all Medicaid and Medicare certified facilities.
Duncan said " “I’m concerned that if the Biden Administration moves forward with this rule, the resulting staff shortages could actually cost lives instead of saving them. The American people need to know whether the Biden Administration has even considered the potential ramifications for their action of imposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and how they plan to respond. “Several states are already nearing or exceeding hospital capacity, and many Medicare and Medicaid providers, especially nursing homes, are struggling to hire and retain enough employees to comply with state and federal staffing requirements. A vaccine mandate will inevitably push a significant portion of healthcare workers out of the industry, putting further strain on providers. No employee should have to choose between a vaccination and their job.”
The letter from Duncan comes on the heels of a U.S. District Court ruling, that if upheld would allow schools districts statewide to require students to wear a mask.