State Sen. Jim Carlin was the lone Republican “no” vote on the COVID-19 vaccine passport bill earlier this week. He issued a statement regarding his vote on the legislation:
“As a strong proponent of a ban on so-called Vaccine Passports in Iowa, I must clarify my recent no vote on House File 889, legislation that would implement the ban on denying access to facilities based on COVID-19 vaccination status. The legislation exempts medical facilities. Although I support the intent of the legislation, I do not support the exemption for health care facilities, which could deny health care to patients who choose not to have the vaccine. Medical choice is a precious right of every Iowan and I will defend every individual’s right to decide whether or not the vaccine is safe for them, whether that person be a health care provider, a patient, a shopper or an employee.”
