Unionized Nursing Homes Report Fewer COVID-19 Related Fatalities

On September 10, 2020, a study published in Health Affairs reported about 43% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) fatalities in the USA have occurred in nursing homes, led by the state of New York. As a result, healthcare workers' access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control policies in nursing homes have received increased attention.

This study confirmed a 30% relative decrease in the COVID-19 mortality rate compared between facilities without healthcare worker unions. And, unions members were associated with greater access to PPE, one mechanism that may link unions to lower COVID-19 mortality rates.

Some 70% of America’s long-term care facilities are run by for-profit companies, including private investment firms, reported the NYTimes.