Des Moines, Iowa — Seventeen Republicans serving in the Iowa legislature have sent an open letter to Trinity Health, the parent company of MercyOne in Primghar. The letter is in regard to the mandate issued earlier this month that staff get the COVID vaccine by September 21st.
The letter from the lawmakers says last week’s order has caused “confusion and distress” and it asks the health system to explain its rationale for the decision. Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig says he did not compose the letter, but signed on to send a message.
Schultz would like to see Trinity Health rescind its vaccination mandate for employees at MercyOne hospitals in Primghar, Clinton, Dubuque, Dyersville, Mason City, New Hampton and Sioux City. The requirement applies to the health clinics associated with those hospitals as well. Schultz says the letter makes clear that he and other lawmakers are paying attention, because they’re fielding complaints from constituents.
In a written statement last week, Trinity Health’s president said the vaccines are a proven way to prevent COVID-19 deaths and the health system is doing its part to end the pandemic by requiring employees get vaccinated. Schultz says he’s hearing other hospitals may issue the same vaccination mandate and may limit visitors and require face coverings for those who do visit patients during flu season.
The letter includes nearly 70 questions of Trinity Health. The first asks the company to describe in detail how its vaccination policy will protect people. Republican Senators Jim Carlin of Sioux City, Jesse Green of Harcourt, Dennis Guth of Klemme and Brad Zaun of Urbandale co-signed the letter. The 12 Republican co-signers from the House are Skyler Wheeler of Orange City, Terry Baxter of Garner, Brooke Boden of Indianola, Steven Bradley of Cascade, Mark Cisneros of Muscatine, Thomas Gerhold of Atkins, Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs, Anne Osmundson of Volga, Sandy Salmon of Janesville, Jeff Shipley of Birmingham, Henry Stone of Forest City and Cherielynn Westrich of Ottumwa.
