Skip to main content

Montana is the only US state to BAN companies from mandating vaccines for workers, as local physicians call on Legislature to reverse the law

While many large companies across the US have announced that Covid-19 vaccines will be required for employees returning to work in-person, in Montana such requirements are banned under a new law passed earlier this year.

Now, physicians across the state are calling on the Legislature to reverse that law.

'This is against everything we've ever known or believed about public health,' said Dr. Pamela Cutler, president of the Montana Medical Association. 

'I believe it's a travesty now and it needs to be fixed so that we can make our offices safe for patients and our coworkers.'

Under a new law passed by the state's Republican-controlled Legislature that took effect July 1, requiring vaccines as a condition for employment is deemed 'discrimination' and a violation of state human rights laws.  

Montana is the only state in the US with a law like this for private employers, said Hemi Tewarson, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy.

The law has raised concern among employers as Montana struggles with a rise in COVID-19 cases that are straining the state's health care system. Vaccination rates also continue to drop from their peak in April.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (pictured) receives a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from pharmacist Drew Garton at a Walgreen's pharmacy in Helena, Montana

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte receives a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from pharmacist Drew Garton at a Walgreen's pharmacy in Helena, Montana

Daily COVID-19 vaccination rates in the US, showing a spike in vaccines in April of this year. Rates have mostly steadily declined since then

Daily COVID-19 vaccination rates in the US, showing a spike in vaccines in April of this year. Rates have mostly steadily declined since then

GOP lawmakers who supported the bill said it was needed to prevent employers from 'coercing' employees to get vaccinations under threat of termination. Some of the loudest supporters of the bill were employees of Benefis Health System in Great Falls who were told earlier this year that COVID-19 vaccines would be necessary to keep their jobs.

Benefis was forced to backtrack on that plan when the law was signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte in May.

Gianforte, a former business executive who founded and ran a technology company, gave the bill the green light after altering it to allow health care facilities to require unvaccinated workers and those who refuse to disclose their vaccination status to wear masks and take other precautions.

The governor lifted the mask mandate back in February, saying enough vulnerable Montana residents had been vaccinated against COVID-19. 

He stood behind the new law this week amid heightened scrutiny, despite daily infection rates spiking nationwide due to the more-contagious delta variant.

'While the governor continues to encourage Montanans to receive safe and effective vaccines, doing so is voluntary and no individual should face discrimination based on vaccination status,' Brooke Stroyke, a spokesperson for Gianforte, said in an email.

While the list of national corporations requiring vaccines of their employees who want to return to work in-person continues to grow - and now includes Google, Facebook, Walmart, and United Airlines - businesses in Montana don´t have that option.

Number of new COVID-19 infections per day in US, with a total number of cases nationwide sitting at 37,297,023. Rates spiked late 2020, and are spiking again due to delta variant

Number of new COVID-19 infections per day in US, with a total number of cases nationwide sitting at 37,297,023. Rates spiked late 2020, and are spiking again due to delta variant

A graph showing recent increases this month in both COVID-19 cases and related deaths, after a significant drop in June and July prior to the emerging delta variant

A graph showing recent increases this month in both COVID-19 cases and related deaths, after a significant drop in June and July prior to the emerging delta variant

'Most feel like their hands are tied right now,' said Mike Rooney, operations director for Downtown Helena Incorporated, a community organization.

'Some would definitely be very supportive of a vaccination requirement or a mask requirement.'

The Montana Hospital Association opposed the law before it took effect, warning that it would make it harder for the state to meet its need for medical services. Now, the association is saying their fears may come to fruition.

Dr. Neil Ku, an epidemiologist at Billings Clinic who sits on the board of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, said the law sets Montana apart in conversations about how to combat the coronavirus.

'It is very very difficult for me to participate in the conversation when everywhere in the country can talk about vaccinating their employees but I can't,' Ku said.

Hospitals in Montana until recently required their employees to get most vaccines approved by the Centers for Disease Control, including the annual flu shot, providing an avenue for employees to opt out for medical or religious reasons. Now, that is no longer possible, leaving both workers and patients vulnerable.

Ingrid Radke, a critical care nurse in the ICU, receives the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination at St. Peter's Health in Helena, Montana

Ingrid Radke, a critical care nurse in the ICU, receives the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination at St. Peter's Health in Helena, Montana

Gov. Greg Gianforte speaks with the press in the State Capitol in Helena. Montana's statewide mask mandate has been lifted by Gianforte

Gov. Greg Gianforte speaks with the press in the State Capitol in Helena. Montana's statewide mask mandate has been lifted by Gianforte

Across the US, 60 percent of those eligible are vaccinated against COVID-19. In Montana, that number is 49 percent.

In Montana hospitals, employees are vaccinated at a higher rate, but without a requirement, patients must contend with added risk to their health when seeking care.

'It holds us out as an anomaly against the rest of the nation,' said Rich Rasmussen, president of the Montana Hospital Association. 

'We have to rely on recruiting from out of state. The rest of the nation is looking at us and they are saying, 'I don't know if I want to practice in Montana, because of their approach to patient and employee safety as it relates to vaccinations.'

Like many states, Montana is dealing with a rise in COVID-19 cases fueled by the highly contagious delta variant. According to a state report released earlier this week, 234 out of the 240 beds in the Benefis Hospital are occupied.

Facing the specter of a coronavirus surge, Montana employers are left to navigate their way to keep employees safe and the doors open.

'A lot of businesses feel like they don't have the support right now, so for them it's about how do they figure it out on their own end,' Rooney said.

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o