According to a message sent by Heartland Financial USA (now HTLF), a company headquartered in Dubuque with locations in about a dozen other states, the company’s benefits may change in 2022.
How?
A potential COVID-19 non-vaccination surcharge.
“HTLF is awaiting final guidance from the Federal Government and OSHA on employer requirements related to COVID-19 vaccination,” the message states. “A surcharge of up to $98 per month may be added on top of the 2022 health plan premiums reported in the benefits guide and in workday for all unvaccinated employees enrolled in our health plans. HTLF will provide all employees with a 60-day notice prior to surcharge implementation and will allow employees affected to make changes to your health plan elections at that time.”
The Iowa legislature acted last week to provide medical and religious exemptions for most Iowans last week, and provide them with an opportunity to collect unemployment if they’re fired for refusing the vaccine.
However, the new law, signed on Friday by Gov. Kim Reynolds, does nothing to prevent unvaccinated employees from being treated radically differently than vaccinated employees.
This would seemingly be an example of what is allowed under state law — two separate classes of Iowa workers based purely on vaccination status.
