Federal government targets SC agency, claiming health care workers here are put 'at risk'
President Joe Biden’s administration alerted South Carolina officials on Oct. 19 that the safety protocols laid out for the state’s health care workers don’t meet federal standards. The agency that licenses and regulates health care workers in South Carolina faces federal interference if it refuses to comply.
The extent to which the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration “may decide to reassert Federal enforcement activities throughout the State will be dependent, in part, on South Carolina’s response to these proceedings,” according to a federal letter sent to South Carolina on Tuesday.
At issue is a rule requiring personal protective equipment, social distancing and other safety measures for workers at health care facilities that care for people with COVID-19. It also requires paid sick time for employees who contract COVID-19, who need to get vaccinated or who are dealing with vaccine side effects.
Many health care facilities in South Carolina have already issued regulations that align with these federal standards. The Medical University of South Carolina, for example, was one of the first hospitals in the country to issue a vaccine mandate for its health care workers.
Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/health/federal-government-targets-sc-agency-claiming-health-care-workers-here-are-put-at-risk/article_f957dbce-312b-11ec-be1a-4b92f596ed66.html
Arizona and Utah were sent similar messages.