On August 5, 2021, the Oregon Health Authority adopted a temporary rule requiring healthcare providers and healthcare staff who work in healthcare settings to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face periodic COVID-19 testing by September 30, 2021.

Not to let OHA get ahead of their authority, on August 13, 2021, Governor Brown issued Executive Order 21-29, COVID-19 vaccination requirement for state executive branch. This includes employees in public safety, correctional, and health care settings who are also employed by the state. On August 19, 2020, Governor Brown also announced healthcare workers and all teachers, educators, support staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools would need to be fully vaccinated under a false announcement that FDA gave full approval to a vaccine, both measures take effect October 18, 2021.

On August 25, 2021, the OHA played catchup and changed the temporary rule, OAR 333-019-1010, to require full vaccination by October 18, 2021, and removed the periodic testing requirement altogether, as required by an executive order from Governor Kate Brown. The temporary rule requires healthcare workers in healthcare settings to either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide their employer with documentation of a medical or religious exception on or before October 18, 2021. In addition, by October 18, 2021, employers of healthcare providers and healthcare staff must have documentation showing that staff are in compliance with the above requirements. The revised temporary rule will remain in effect through January 31, 2022.

Now that we are seeing massive resignations of healthcare providers based on invasion of one’s body, it is leaving hospitals short on staff. Oregon Capital Insider reports that Rep. Maxine Dexter, a lung specialist and intensive care doctor is seizing the opportunity to promote state guidance on rationing. Is this the return of “death panels” feared from Obamacare?

Rep. Dexter claims clinicians are having to make decisions, lacking crisis-care standards, and that is part of what is perpetuating severe stress for some providers, because they don't have a mandated clarity.

The easy solution is to drop the mandates and restore healthcare, businesses, and school operations. Twenty-four states are demanding Biden drop vaccination mandates or face a lawsuit. They are determined to take it to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary. Biden has since extended the compliance date to November 22. It would be beneficial for Governor Brown to do the same.

Rep. David Brock Smith wrote Governor Brown September 30, 2021, outlining emerging data on the failures of vaccines effectiveness and urged her to change course on her vaccine mandates. “If not for some of the emerging data I have outlined above, then for the freedom of choice for every Oregonian. I encourage you to provide all of the best scientific data to Oregonians and let them make a decision after consulting with their medical professionals. You shouldn’t have to be in a Union to be afforded a delay from your forced vaccine mandates. Data continues to come in and I urge you to delay your vaccine mandates for all Oregonians.”

In the meantime, OHA is proposing to permanently adopt OAR 333-003-5000 and OAR 333-047-2000, relating to COVID-19 vaccine guidance and minor consent requirements. These proposed permanent rules will replace temporary rules set to expire on November 22, 2021.

A public hearing will be held remotely by video or phone conference call on October 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. E-mail comments to: publichealth.rules@state.or.us.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-10-04 10:36:37

Last Update: 2021-10-04 10:51:42