By Jason Hall Photo: Getty Images More than 50 major health care groups have issued a joint statement calling for all health care and long-term care employers to issue a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all employees. CNN reports the joint statement -- which includes the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association -- was issued in response to continued surges of COVID-19 cases nationwide. "Our health care organizations and societies advocate that all health care and long-term care employers require their workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This is the logical fulfillment of the ethical commitment of all health care workers to put patients as well as residents of long-term care facilities first and take all steps necessary to ensure their health and well-being," the joint statement issued Monday (July 26) reads via