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10 States Sue Biden Over Vaccine Mandates For Healthcare Workers
Ten states are suing the government for its vaccine mandates for healthcare workers. The states claimed that the mandate violates the Constitution. It also violates a federal law governing the agency rule-making process.
Missouri and Arkansas led the ten-state coalition. Joining them are Kansas, Iowa, Wyoming, Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and New Hampshire.
RELATED: Florida: DeSantis Announces Lawsuit against Biden’s Vaccine Mandate
Missouri and Nebraska Lead Group of Ten States
Attorneys General Eric Schmitt (MO) and Doug Peterson (NE) led the lawsuit filing. Requiring vaccines on health workers will just increase the shortage of medical workers.
When this happens, rural area health centers will suffer the most. Plus, the mandate threatens the livelihood of millions of healthcare professionals. These heroes already gave so much of themselves during the pandemic’s early days.
In the complaint the plaintiffs filed in St. Louis, it said that individual states should have the say. It insisted that the power to require vaccinations should always go to the state.
Vaccination requirements are matters that depend on local factors and conditions. The complaint said that a universal ruling doesn't always apply.
What makes sense in New York City can prove harmful in rural communities. “Federalism allows states to tailor such matters in the best interests of their communities. The heavy hand of a nationwide mandate does not,” the suit added.
Biden Announced Vaccine Mandates Last September
Meanwhile, the time for the vaccine mandate deadline draws near. Last September, President Joe Biden implemented vaccine mandates for health workers. Specifically, the rule targets workers assigned at Medicare or Medicaid-funded facilities.
The mandate was a result of the federal government’s drive to boost vaccination rates. Many states reported surges in cases because of the spreading Delta variant.
Under the ruling, all healthcare workers should complete their vaccinations by January 4. However, an estimated 2.4 million workers have yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccine shots.
Devastating Effects On The Healthcare Industry
As a result, the states asked the courts to block the mandate as the deadline looms. Imposing this requirement will create “devastating effects” in their home states. In fact, the most damage will happen to rural communities in these states.
“Unfortunately, with this latest mandate from the Biden Administration, last year's healthcare heroes are turning into this year's unemployed.
Requiring healthcare workers to get a vaccination or face termination is unconstitutional and unlawful and could exacerbate healthcare staffing shortages to the point of collapse, especially in Missouri's rural areas,” Schmitt said.
An Intrusion Into State Police Power
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' mandate intrudes on states’ police powers. In doing so, the agencies violate several laws.
This includes the Tenth Amendment, which implies that any powers not granted to the United States remain reserved to the States or to the people.
In addition, the mandate also violates the Administrative Procedures Act, the Social Security Act, and the tenets of federalism. “By ignoring the facts on the ground and unreasonably dismissing concerns about workforce shortages, the CMS vaccine mandate jeopardizes the healthcare interests of rural Americans,” the lawsuit declared.
Watch the 11Alive news video reporting that states now suing Biden over federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate:
Do you agree with the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers? Or do you think it’s up to the states to impose these laws?
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