Federal judge dismisses Texas challenge to CMS vaccine mandate

A federal judge in Texas today dismissed the state’s challenge of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ interim final rule requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in most health care settings that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, including hospitals and health systems. The U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 13 allowed the CMS vaccine mandate to take effect in all states except Texas, where a preliminary injunction in a separate legal action was in effect.