NJBIA and a host of healthcare associations wrote to the state of New Jersey this week urging extension on multiple COVID-19 waivers impacting the industry that are set to expire in January.
“These waivers have been a critical lifeline for healthcare providers as they continue to face the unprecedented challenges of serving patients as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic and navigate the substantial workforce crisis facing the industry,” the groups wrote.
There are 22 waivers specified in the letter to State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli and Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Sean Neafsey. Most of them were enacted in 2020. They address staffing concerns, expand access to care through telehealth and telemedicine and enhance access to all immunizations by allowing a wide range of qualified healthcare practitioners to administer them.
“Waivers such as these have allowed healthcare providers to administer quality care for patients while eliminating inefficiencies and redundancies in their work,” they wrote.
Signatories on the letter include NJBIA, the New Jersey Hospital Association, the Health Care Association of New Jersey, the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey, LeadingAge of New Jersey and Delaware and the New Jersey Dental Association.
To view the letter and the specific list of waivers requested to be expanded, click here.