I am a medical device vendor. I received this email from a supply chain director at a local hospital today.
“It has come to my attention that you have requested an exemption to the Covid-19 and Influenza vaccination requirements as provided in the Purchasing Sales/Vendor Representatives Polices/Procedures. Please know that we are not allowing exemptions to this policy. Should you not be able to meet this requirement and need to have access to our facilities, then we would ask that your company provide someone that can meet our requirements.
Thank you for your support of our policies as we work to protect our patients and staff.”
PLEASE someone explain how this is legal. They ARE allowing exemptions for their direct staff (who have direct patient contact, unlike me.) But not for vendors who provide their products…
Additionally, below are excerpts from CMS Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule (link here: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-omnibus-covid-19-health-care-staff-vaccination-requirements-2021.pdf)
According to the document: "CMS requires facilities to allow for exemptions to staff with (as a reasonable accommodation) for a disability or a sincerely held religious belief, observance, or practice and for medical reasons. Providers and suppliers should establish exceptions as a part of its policies and procedures and in alignment with Federal law."
Furthermore, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 expressly prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
I need answers. It can’t just be “because we can.” Someone tell me how they can do this and tell me what I can do to stop this.
First time?
(I really don't mean to be a jerk. But if you haven't figured out yet that "because we can" is exactly why the Left does everything, I don't know what else to tell you. I mean, who's stopping them?)
Definitely not the first time. Most people get to write one letter. I submitted 60. One for flu and one for COVID at 30 different hospitals. And have won. Only a few remaining that are rejecting all exemptions for VENDORS specifically. Not for their employees.
And you are right. I talked on the phone with them a few months ago and they said "We reserve the right do that." And I asked "Where? And how?" Response: "I'm not going to sit here and argue with you."
They have a policy that allows exemptions for employees. They do not test or know their patient's vaccine status when they walk through the door. But they know the medical history of a vendor rep who's there sporadically to support the proper implantation of medical devices - and choose to deny them their rights. It's absurd.
I asked them, "So if I'm walking in to support a surgery unvaccinated, I'm not allowed in. But when I break my ankle on the curb on the way to the front door, I'm allowed to come in?" In one situation, I'm making money from them. In another, I'm making money for them....
Stutters and stammers. Every time. If it truly was about health, they wouldn't allow exemptions for the ones who literally touch their patients all day. It's not. It's to keep the ones who charge them money out of the door.