New York governor Kathy Hochul issues executive order to expand healthcare workforce

New York Governor Kathy Hochul

Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order declaring a statewide disaster emergency due to healthcare staffing shortages.

The order expands the number of physicians, nurses and other clinicians who can practice in the state by relaxing licensing and other requirements.

In the order, Hochul said, "a disaster is imminent in New York State, for which the affected local governments are unable to respond adequately, and I hereby declare a statewide disaster emergency for the entire State of New York."

The executive order is in effect for 30 days.

Hochul also implemented the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

WHY THIS MATTERS

New York State's COVID-19 vaccination mandate went into effect at midnight Tuesday. The executive order was released Monday in anticipation of nurses and other clinicians leaving their jobs due the order.

The vaccine mandate has reportedly prompted thousands of healthcare workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the governor's office, 84% of hospital staff in New York are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to CNYCentral.

The order allows physicians, nurses and physician assistants in Canada or any other country approved by the Department of Health to practice medicine in New York State, even if they're not registered in the state. This also includes radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, midwives, social workers and other clinicians not registered in the state to practice.

It also allows physicians who will graduate in 2021 or 2022 to practice without a medical license, supervised by a licensed physician. This also applies to graduates of nursing programs.

Emergency Medical Technicians and Advanced EMTs can provide emergency and non-emergency services beyond current settings. Certified emergency medical technician-paramedics may administer vaccines against the flu and COVID-19.

Non-nursing staff can take nasal swabs and other specimens to test for COVID-19 or the flu.

THE LARGER TREND

This executive order is expected to help ease hospital staffing shortages that were expected to get worse as nurses and others left their jobs due to the vaccine mandate deadline. Thousands of healthcare workers have received vaccinations ahead of the deadline but those that refuse face suspension or termination.

President Biden has issued a national vaccine mandate requiring all healthcare workers at Medicare and Medicaid participating hospitals or who work in other settings to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The mandate applies to over 17 million healthcare workers, according to the White House.

The rule will be enforced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is developing an interim final rule with a comment period that will be issued in October.

However, burnout, and not the vaccine mandate, is the real cause of physicians, doctors, clinicians and others leaving frontline care, according to one expert.

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com