New York's vaccine mandate for most healthcare workers took effect this week, forcing hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities statewide to put workers on unpaid leave with a single directive: get vaccinated, or lose your job. It has spawned several lawsuits, including one that seeks to exclude those who claim religious exemption.

In the Capital Region, providers including Albany Medical Center, St. Peter's Health Partners and Ellis Medicine have suspended hundreds of workers, exacerbating existing staffing shortages. 

On this episode of The Eagle, health reporter Bethany Bump explains how area hospitals are dealing with the mandate, and the impact it will have on the region.  

Also, columnist Chris Churchill weighs in on two of the region's most contentious congressional races, and Editor-in-Chief Casey Seiler talks about the death of Commander Cody (a.k.a. George Frayne) and the arena formerly known as the Times Union Center.

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