2021 -- H 6236

========

LC002391

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

DIRECTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO REQUIRE LICENSED

NURSING FACILITIES TO REPORT ON THE NUMBER AND PERCENT OF RESIDENTS

AND STAFF RECEIVING COVID-19 VACCINATIONS DURING THE DECLARED

FEDERAL AND STATE HEALTH EMERGENCY (AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER IF

COVID-19 OUTBREAKS OCCUR)

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Vella-Wilkinson, Ackerman, Kazarian,
Kennedy, Fenton-Fung, and Noret

     Date Introduced: April 14, 2021

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     WHEREAS, The global COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has resulted in 2534

deaths in Rhode Island and is the leading cause of death in 2020; and

     WHEREAS, COVID-19 has severely impacted residents and employees of Rhode Island

nursing facilities; and

     WHEREAS, Nursing home residents comprise 56% of all COVID-19 related fatalities in

Rhode Island, and

     WHEREAS, The Federal Drug Administration has authorized three vaccines for

emergency use which can significantly reduce COVID-19 infections; and

     WHEREAS, Vaccination appears to be the best medical prevention method for COVID-

19 infections which lead to hospitalization and deaths; and

     WHEREAS, The state has entered into a partnership with pharmacy companies including

CVS and Walgreens to provide Covid-19 vaccinations to all Rhode Island nursing home residents

and employees; and

     WHEREAS, The administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in nursing homes by the

Pharmacy Partnership has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of Covid-19 cases and

deaths in nursing homes; and

     WHEREAS, COVID-19 infections can be unknowingly spread by asymptomatic

individuals and research has found the proportion of transmission from individuals who never

have COVID-19 symptoms was estimated to account for more than half of all transmission; and

     WHEREAS, It is the interest of the state to monitor the acceptance and administration of

COVID-19 vaccinations among nursing home residents and staff to avoid further outbreaks; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the state of Rhode Island hereby

directs the Rhode Island Department of Health to require licensed nursing facilities to report on

the number and percent of residents and staff receiving COVID-19 vaccinations during the

declared federal and state health emergency (and annually thereafter if COVID-19 outbreaks

occur); and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH,

Rhode Island Department of Health.

========

LC002391

========

LC002391 - Page 2 of 2