Florida law prohibits private employers from mandating vaccinations, unless certain exemptions are provided. These exemptions include medical or religious concerns, anticipated future pregnancy, and past COVID-19 infections. Health care providers in the state are stuck between the federal government and their own state government. The Biden administration requires healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 if they work in a center that receives federal money, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, Florida's Republican governor Ron DeSantis has called the policy of the Biden administration 'madness'. In November, he signed a state law prohibiting employers from requiring COVID vaccines unless they offer extensive exemptions. This has left Florida hospitals in a difficult position. The hospital chain Ascension announced a mandate over the summer, only to reverse policy in Florida following the November change in state law.
HCA Healthcare's West Florida Division hospitals have always encouraged their colleagues to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and have made vaccines available. Additionally, Florida law requires employers who make workers receive the COVID vaccine to provide the exemptions outlined by the Florida Department of Health rule.
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