FAH President and CEO Chip Kahn released the following statement after reviewing President Biden’s plan to battle COVID-19 this winter:

“A serious Omicron COVID-19 surge is developing on top of the Delta onslaught that has ravaged many areas of the country. It is timely that the Biden Administration is making available a wide variety of tools which will mitigate the impact on weary frontline caregivers, ease capacity issues at strained hospitals, and provide increased access to testing for Americans.

“The health care workforce crisis is real and growing. The federal reinforcements President Biden is unleashing – in the short term – will ensure that patients can continue to count on their hospitals during this latest surge and beyond. However, ultimately solving the worsening health care staffing shortage will require additional comprehensive workforce solutions.

“But we have to agree that the best safeguard against COVID-19 remains vaccination – so we join the President in his plea for everyone to get vaccinated and boosted to protect yourself, your family, and your community.”