In a December 23 letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., LeadingAge called for the immediate revision of outdated respiratory illness guidance for healthcare settings and return-to-work guidance for healthcare personnel.

Both sets of guidance are enforced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as infection control requirements based on accepted national standards, despite not having been updated since May 2023 and September 2022, respectively.

LeadingAge has previously advocated on this matter based on feedback from our members whose residents are required to isolate for a minimum of 10 days and up to 20 days following COVID-19 infection.

Our advocacy urges Secretary Kennedy to empower Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) experts to revise guidelines–work that was being undertaken by the agency’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee prior to its disbandment in spring 2025.