Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her inaugural State Budget address this morning. Coming in at a brisk 16 minutes, the $216 billion State Budget is starkly different from the 2021- 2022 budget.

Episode 18 in the Podcast Series Drops Jan. 13

CLIVE, Iowa — (Jan. 12, 2022) — A patient’s mental health is just as important, if not more, as their physical health, especially in times of crisis. With 41% of the population currently reporting an increase in mental health issues due to the pandemic, it’s an important time to shed some light on the topic.

New York State Department of Health Releases Updated Recommendations for Healthcare Workers Related to COVID-19 Exposure and Infection

What is the current quarantine guidance for fully vaccinated, asymptomatic healthcare providers who are exposed to COVID-19?

New York Governor Hochul issued a statewide mask mandate that take effect today, December 13, 2021. This mandate requires that all healthcare settings must continue to require masks be worn regardless of vaccination status. 

New York State Law requires that employers of one or more employees must conduct sexual harassment prevention training for all employees. Additionally, New York City Local Law 96 of 2018 requires employers with 15 or more employees are required to conduct annual sexual harassment prevention training for all employees. 

We are pleased to announce that registration is open for ACA Engage, which will take place in Washington, D.C., February 2-5, 2022. Looking forward to seeing everyone together again!

Episode 15 in the Podcast Series Drops Oct. 14

CLIVE, Iowa — (Oct. 13, 2021) — Scary stories are perfect for Halloween, but not so much for DCs (or their malpractice providers). Case in point:

Back in August, New York had issued a vaccine mandate that applied to all healthcare workers in hospitals, long term care facilities and nursing homes. It required these facilities to develop and implement a policy requiring employee vaccinations, with limited exceptions for those with religious or medical reasons. According to the language as written, we did not believe this would apply to private office settings.

The following statement related to the federal mandate regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements was received by the NYSCA from the ACA on September 15, 2021 via email:

The Chair has determined that the solicitation or receipt of payments from a third party for chiropractic or other health care treatment and services (including so-called "fitting fees" or "service fees") are prohibited by the Workers' Compensation Law, the Rules of the Board of Regents governing the professions, and the New York State Education Law governing the practice of medicine. The Chair has taken, and will continue to take, administrative action against any provider found violating the law.

Updated September 13 at 3:30 pm: CMS provided the following information on background regarding clarification on the mandate rule:

“This regulation does not directly apply to physician’s offices as these are not regulated under the provider-specific Medicare health and safety regulatory provisions, generally referred to as “Conditions of Participation.”

President Joe Biden on Thursday, 09/09/2021 imposed stringent new vaccine rules on federal workers, large employers, and health care staff in a sweeping attempt to contain the latest surge of Covid-19.

On September 6, 2021, Governor Hochul announced that the New York State Commissioner of Health officially designated COVID-19 as a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health. This designation triggers the obligation for employers to implement their New York HERO Act plans. 

CLIVE, Iowa — (Sept. 8, 2021) — Are you getting all the information you need when treating your patients? Many times, doctors don't. Whether a new patient, a new-to-you patient, or even existing patients, you gather important information through the exam and history and review any relevant documentation, right?

October is National Chiropractic Health Month and great things are happening in the Chiropractic profession in New York!

At 12:01 a.m., Kathy Hochul was officially sworn in as the 57th Governor of New York State. She is the first woman to ever hold this position. At 10:00 a.m., there was a ceremonial swearing in ceremony for Governor Hochul that was open to press with the oath of office administered by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. She gave brief remarks at her swearing in and indicated that brevity was going to be a hallmark of her administration.

At this time, it appears the vaccine mandate will apply to all healthcare workers in hospitals, long term care facilities and nursing homes and will require these facilities to develop and implement a policy mandating employee vaccinations, with limited exceptions for those with religious or medical reasons.