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I just had a conversation with a MercyOne representative regarding their decision to mandate the emergency Covid vaccine to all of their employees.
I believe this is an unacceptable violation of individual liberty and not what was intended when we granted a healthcare exemption.
Our legislation removed government’s ability to mandate the vaccine but we did not address what individual businesses do, because there are competing rights involved- the rights of the business owners and the rights of the employees. Therefore, even without the medical exemption, MercyOne could have legally taken this action.
Now, we must have this profoundly important debate. I believe that in the long run the free market will take care of this, because as difficult as it is in today’s environment to get qualified employees, what business or medical facility will eliminate even more potential employees? However, short term, this is an unacceptable intrusion on individual liberty.
Other freedom-loving legislators are also working on this issue. I will take action and work to correct this in the weeks to come.
