‘Medical freedom,“ but only for some

There seems to be no vaccination for Iowans that can protect us from irresponsible ideas conjured by our Republican-controlled Legislature.

Republicans in the Iowa House are pursuing two bills that strike at the idea that vaccinations save lives. Instead, lawmakers are embracing the conspiratorial beliefs of people who oppose vaccinations.

This is called protecting “medical freedom.”

One bill that cleared the House Education Committee would eliminate childhood vaccination requirements for school enrollment. Iowa already has vaccine exceptions for medical necessity and religious beliefs. But those are, apparently, not enough.

A second bill would make it illegal for businesses, schools, and government entities to deny services, access, employment, or benefits based on whether a person has received a medical intervention, including vaccinations.

And existing state law barring COVID vaccine requirements is being expanded to include any case of what backers call discrimination based on “medical intervention.”

The bill also curtails the state public health authority, limiting its power during public health disasters to compel treatment.

Opponents of the bill, including educators, nurses, and public health professionals, warn that it would undermine vaccines’ ability to prevent outbreaks, such as in schools. If too few students are vaccinated, herd immunity protecting all students will be weakened.

Tying the hands of school officials, public health professionals and health care providers. Being unable to set health requirements will overwhelm the health care system and prompt workers and students to stay home. Of course, as has become this Legislature’s custom, local decision-making is thrown out the window.

These bills do not result in “medical freedom,” because the policies will mean less freedom for children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and others with health conditions that leave them immunocompromised.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. is quoted as saying, “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.” Asserting a right while harming someone else is unacceptable.

These bills are a slap in the face to all the people whose lives will be made worse, even threatened, by diseases that can be prevented with vaccines. Ignoring decades of science and success behind these medical miracles is not a belief that should be protected or enshrined in Iowa law.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com