Beth Van Duyne: “My amendment No. 144 prohibits funds from being used to enforce unnecessary reporting requirements from the Centers for…”

“My amendment No. 144 prohibits funds from being used to enforce unnecessary reporting requirements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on ambulatory surgical centers. I was first made aware of this requirement by my constituents when I toured a local outpatient facility back home in north Texas. As they pointed out, this forces ambulatory surgical centers to report the COVID-19 vaccination status of each employee every quarter or punish them with a payment reduction. Mr. Chairman, I am sure my colleagues on both sides of the aisle hear the same thing when we return to our districts. Healthcare facilities are struggling to find workers at every single level, yet CMS does not hold every facility to the same standard. CMS removed COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for hospitals on May 31, which was 20 days after the President declared the public health emergency was over. Meanwhile, CMS continues to require ambulatory surgery centers to report their workers' vaccination status or face a sharp cut in payment. To be clear, my amendment is not meant to dissuade individuals from choosing to receive a vaccine. Rather, it will give them a choice similar to every other healthcare worker who wants the freedom to choose what is best for their health. Mr.…”