Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cruise Ships Can't Enforce Covid Safety Rules In Florida, Court Decides
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Court Reverses Course On COVID-19 Cruise-Ship Regulations, Lifting CDC’s Safety Measures
In a matter of days, things have changed again for the cruise industry in Florida. Judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta reversed course Friday, siding with the state and ruling that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cannot impose COVID-19 safety rules on cruises sailing from Florida ports this summer. The CDC wanted cruises to follow a list of measures in a four-phased approach in order to set sail again, including mass testing for staff and passengers, enforcing social distancing and conducting test trips if less than 95% of those onboard are fully vaccinated, among other things. (DiMichele and Perkins, 7/24)
Miami Herald: CDC Not Allowed To Enforce Cruise Rules In Florida
Just before the 11th Circuit’s reversal, Florida asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and reverse the appeals court’s decision from last Saturday. The 11th Circuit judges — Judges Jill Pryor, Charles Wilson and Elizabeth Branch — did not provide an explanation for why they reversed their decision just six days after issuing it, saying only that the CDC “failed to demonstrate an entitlement to a stay pending appeal.” (Dolven, 7/23)
And in news about vaccine mandates —
The Washington Post: Doctors, Nurses And Other Health Groups Call For Mandatory Vaccinations For All Health Workers
Medical groups representing millions of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health workers on Monday called for mandatory vaccinations of all U.S. health personnel against the coronavirus, framing the move as a moral imperative as new infections mount sharply. “We call for all health care and long-term care employers to require their employees to be vaccinated against covid-19,” the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association and 55 other groups wrote in a joint statement shared with The Washington Post. “The health and safety of U.S. workers, families, communities, and the nation depends on it.” (Diamond, 7/26)
AP: Sununu Signs 'Medical Freedom' Immunization Bill
New Hampshire residents can’t be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access public facilities, benefits or services under a bill signed into law by Gov. Chris Sununu. Supporters say the bill signed this week establishes “medical freedom” by specifying that all residents have the “natural, essential and inherent right to bodily integrity, free from any threat or compulsion by government to accept an immunization.” (7/25)
Des Moines Register: COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates: Over 100 Rally At Iowa Capitol Against Them
As some hospitals in Iowa and nationwide are requiring their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk termination, over 100 people gathered Saturday afternoon outside of the Iowa state Capitol for a rally against vaccine mandates. The rally was organized by Informed Choice Iowa — a group that advocates against mandatory vaccinations and vaccine passports — and included multiple speakers like Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, who called vaccine mandates "a crime against humanity," and Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, who said Iowans would become "mindless cattle" if "we don't stand up for freedom." (May Sahouri, 7/24)
Macon Telegraph: Atrium And Coliseum Hospitals To Require COVID Vaccine
Coliseum Hospitals and Atrium Health will begin requiring employees to get the COVID-19 vaccination. On Aug. 1, Piedmont Healthcare’s purchase of Coliseum Medical Centers and Coliseum Northside Hospital will go into effect, and Piedmont is requiring employees to be vaccinated by Feb. 1. Administrators, Piedmont-employed providers and new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated. All remaining employees will be required to be vaccinated at a date that has not been determined. (Baxley, 7/24)
New Orleans Times-Picayune: Louisiana Hospitals, With Vaccine-Hesitant Employees, Are Wary Of Mandating Vaccines
As coronavirus cases continue to climb, many hospitals across the United States are adopting policies that require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Louisiana hospitals are not, even as infection cases have skyrocketed more than any other state in the past two weeks. That has resulted in lower vaccination rates among hospital workers, a particular concern for medically vulnerable patients and children too young to receive a vaccine. And several Louisiana hospitals refuse to provide anything that might inform a patient’s risk level. (Woodruff, 7/24)
Axios: NFL Raises Vaccine Pressure
In the latest attempt to encourage players to get vaccinated, the NFL is threatening forfeits and the loss of game checks if an outbreak occurs. If a game can't be played due to an outbreak among unvaccinated players/staff this upcoming season — and the NFL can't find "a suitable date to reschedule" — the team responsible will forfeit and both teams will lose their game checks. (Baker, 7/23)
