January 13, 2022 Washington, DC — A statement from Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, the national association of nonprofit providers of aging services, on the recent Supreme Court rulings on the CMS Vaccination Mandate and the OSHA Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard:

“Vaccines and boosters are the most powerful tools we have in the battle against Covid-19; they save lives. While mandates can sometimes make it harder for employers to keep or find qualified workers – especially as Omicron surges and workforce challenges are growing –we encourage all members, regardless of care setting or community type, to ensure staff get vaccinated. Many LeadingAge providers implemented mandates months before the federal government announced its plans, and a recent poll of our mission-driven members reveals the vast majority are ready to move forward on the CMS healthcare worker mandates.” 

We represent more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we use applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old. Our membership, which now includes the providers of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America, encompasses the continuum of services for people as they age, including those with disabilities. We bring together the most inventive minds in the field to lead and innovate solutions that support older adults wherever they call home. For more information visit leadingage.org.