Saturday’s Informed Conference 2020 will provide a once-a-year opportunity for the attendees to hear information from a variety of experts on medical freedom. And while the event is an annual conference, it will never be as timely as it is now in the midst of a pandemic.
“Our conference had a terrific turnout last year and we’re super excited about this year,” said Brei Johnson, president of Informed Choice Iowa. “We are a true grassroots organization. We represent Iowans all over the state who basically are passionate about preserving parental choice and informed consent regarding medical choices. And we advocate for medical freedom.”
The group opposes all things mandated because, “we don’t believe that health should be a one-size-fits all approach,” Johnson added.
“We’re all uniquely designed and each individual should have the choice to make for themselves,” she said. “We work with legislators to try to educate them and we try to educate Iowans. We’re a safe space for lots of people to go for questions on that topic.”
The conference is scheduled for Nov. 14. Doors open at 8 a.m. with the first session beginning at 9 a.m. That first session is free to the public. The rest of the conference will require a ticket, which can be obtained here.
Dr. Bob Zajac is a pediatrician from Minnesota who spoke at last year’s conference and was undoubtedly a favorite among attendees.
Neil Miller is a medical research journalist and will address some of the science. He is the author of Miller’s Review of Critical Vaccine Studies and specializes in breaking down the science into layman’s terms.
“We’re really excited to have him come talk about studies because of the climate that we’re in right now,” Johnson said. “We value the importance of having quality studies and knowing how to understand them.”
Dawn Richardson is a state liaison and will speak about legislative strategy and what to consider for the upcoming session.
“She is a wealth of knowledge and just gives phenomenal counsel on the bills,” Johnson said.
Wayne Rohde is an attorney who understands vaccine court inside and out.
“He’s just a wealth of knowledge for vaccine injuries,” Johnson said. “We’re excited to have him as well.”
Toby Rogers is an economist who will examine what these vaccine injuries are costing the state and communities.
Del Bigtree is a television and film producer. An Emmy-award winning medical journalist, Bigtree is considered a champion of the movement advocating for medical freedom.
The first session, which will last from 9-10 a.m., will provide information the group doesn’t want finances getting in the way of.
“We hope people take advantage of it,” Johnson said. “We’ll basically layout how did we arrive where we’re at. It will kind of lay the foundation for a lot of the information that’s going to be presented later on in the day. It’s a terrific, very comprehensive summary.”
Every legislator received an invitation to the event. Johnson said there is no doubt that this issue is front-and-center in 2020.
“I don’t think there’s anything as important as this issue right now because it impacts businesses, it impacts your ability to assemble – I mean we’re seeing it in the culture,” she said. “Medical freedoms are very important and we’re seeing how it’s now trickling into other areas of life.”
With all the censoring happening on social media, Johnson said attending the conference in person provides an outstanding opportunity.
“We’re definitely entering into a season where ideas that don’t fit a certain narrative are being censored,” she said. “And so it’s essential for us to meet in person and share these ideas. In some states, and even with what the Governor said recently, some would argue that that is even being threatened to some degree to be able to meet and share ideas. That’s why in light of everything going on, we’re not canceling and feel it is important to gather together and hear from these experts.”
