Pella Regional has released the following statement in regards to a Supreme Court decision that effectively mandates COVID-19 vaccinations for all staff at medical facilities that accept Medicare and Medicaid patients:

“On January 13, 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court issued the decision allowing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ vaccine mandate to take effect. CMS released additional guidance about the COVID-19 health care staff vaccination interim final rule.

As a healthcare system, Pella Regional Health Center and its affiliates fall under this rule because we accept Medicare and Medicaid patients. We will comply with the HealthCare Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule issued by CMS in order to continue to provide healthcare to the population we serve.

To comply with the ruling, all Pella Regional employees must receive the first dose or one-dose vaccine by February 14, 2022 and all shots for full vaccination by March 14, 2022. There is a process for employees to submit a request to receive a medical or religious exemption.

The majority of Pella Regional employees are in compliance with this mandate and we will not know the total impact of coming into compliance until the deadline.”