Northeast Ohio Lawyer Discusses President Biden Vaccine Mandates, Potential Impact On Workplace

President Joe Biden earlier this month announced a series of moves with the goal of increasing vaccination numbers among the estimated 80-million Americans who are eligible for the vaccine but refuse.

Biden is mandating shots for health care workers, federal contractors and many federal workers.  He is also mandating private sector employers with more than 100 workers require the vaccine for employees or face weekly COVID-19 testing.

The moves come as the Delta variant pushes case numbers upward and strain hospitals and the healthcare system. 

The President’s mandates have brought reaction from lawmakers, employers and workers unions alike.

The mandates impact an estimated 100-million American workers, although it is unclear of that number how many are unvaccinated.

Later in today's episode of the Sound of Ideas, for those experiencing homelessness, managing serious or chronic illness or medical conditions can be difficult if not impossible.  Outcomes for those experiencing homelessness and chronic illness are poorer than compared to the general population.  Advocates say that housing is healthcare and a stable place to live is crucial for wellness.

Joseph’s Home, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System fills a need between the hospital and shelter.  The Sisters of Charity founded the home in 2000 to meet the medical and transitional housing needs of men experiencing homelessness .  It is Cleveland’s only facility providing medical respite care.  

 Joseph’s Home helps disrupt an often tragic cycle.  Men without stable  housing and chronic illness are often shuffled between hospitals, traditional shelters, emergency rooms, sometimes jail and back again.  Research shows that people experiencing homelessness are three to four times more likely to die prematurely and have life expectancies 25 years shorter than the general population.   Joseph’s Home plans to open another facility later in 2021 called Mary’s Home that will help women facing chronic illness and homelessness.

If you would like to know more about or help out Joseph’s Home or the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, we have provided links below to both organizations.

Also in today's program, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, held a news conference on the current wave of coronavirus cases impacting Ohio and its hospitals yesterday.

DeWine says more young people are hospitalized now than at any other time in the pandemic.

We also get an update on the redistricting process in Ohio.  Last week, the Ohio Redistricting Commission approved maps for the state’s house and senate districts that preserved the Republican supermajority.  The maps may be challenged in court.

Yesterday, people packed a church next to the statehouse to rally for “fair districts” and met with lawmakers.  The coalition of groups against gerrymandering want more transparency and fairness as the process of redrawing Congressional district maps begins.  Based on United State Census data, Ohio will lose one seat in Congress.

For More Information:

• Joseph's Home website
• National Health Care for the Homeless Council website

Jonathan Hyman, Partner, Wickens Herzer Panza law firm
Beth Graham, Executive Director, Joseph's Home 
Bobby Watts, CEO, National Health Care for the Homeless Council 
Andy Chow, Reporter, Statehouse News Bureau, Ohio Public Radio/TV