DES MOINES, Iowa – MercyOne and Broadlawns Medical Center announced on Tuesday that they would require their employees are vaccinated for COVID-19 joining UnityPoint Health and the Veterans Administration Hospital.
“As a faith-based health ministry, we have pledged to protect the most vulnerable. Our patients and their families expect us to provide a safe environment for their care, and that includes being vaccinated,” said MercyOne CEO Bob Ritz, who leads the Catholic-based health care system.
Individuals who cannot be vaccinated for strongly held religious beliefs or medical reasons will be required to apply for an exemption.
“The safety of our patients, residents, colleagues, physicians and communities is a top priority for us,” said MercyOne Chief Medical Executive Dr. Hijinio Carreon. “With more than 350 million doses administered in the United States, we know the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and the single most effective tool in slowing, and even stopping, the spread of virus and saving lives.”
MercyOne did not provide a deadline in its public release.
Polk County’s Public Hospital, Broadlawns Medical Center, also announced it would require the 28 percent of its 1500 employees not vaccinated to be vaccinated by November 1.
“The recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases has illustrated the importance of utilizing every available precaution to mitigate further spread of this disease. With that at the forefront of our decision making, our administrative, physician and nursing leaders have agreed that vaccinating the remainder of our staff is the judicious course toward ensuring the health and safety of our coworkers, patients, and the community we serve,” Karl Vilums, Broadlawns interim president, said in a released statement.
The Iowa Legislature passed, and Governor Kim Reynolds signed, a new law prohibiting local and state government agencies from requiring vaccines, but the law exempts healthcare facilities.
UnityPoint Health made its announcement last Thursday. The three-state health system said it would require all 33,000 employees to show proof of vaccination by November 1.
Employees who are not vaccinated by then are subject to voluntary resignation or termination. Employees can also request a medical or religious exemption. Pregnant employees can request a deferment.
“We remain incredibly grateful to our health care providers, who have seen the devastation of COVID-19 up close and personal over the past 18 months,” said Clay Holderman, President and CEO of UnityPoint Health. “After thoughtful consideration, we believe this vaccination requirement will help keep our team members, patients and communities as healthy as possible, so we can focus on what we do best—delivering exceptional care to those we serve.”
“The COVID vaccine is safe and effective in terms of preventing severe disease, hospitalization and death,” said Dr. Dave Williams, Chief Clinical Officer of UnityPoint Health. “The continued wave of infections throughout the country make it clear we are not done fighting this pandemic, which means more people need to get vaccinated, especially before an anticipated increase of respiratory illnesses this fall.”
Seven MercyOne hospitals administered by Trinity Health in Primghar, Clinton, Dubuque, Dyersville, Mason City, New Hampton, and Sioux City required vaccines before the system-wide mandate. In response, seventeen Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Trinity Health asking 70 questions about the policy, stating it caused “confusion and distress.”
From the Iowa Senate, State Senators Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City, Jesse Green, R-Harcourt, Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, and Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale signed the letter. From the Iowa House, State Reps. Terry Baxter, R-Garner, Brooke Boden, R-Indianola, Steven Bradley, R-Cascade, Mark Cisneros, R-Muscatine, Thomas Gerhold, R-Atkins, Jon Jacobsen, R-Council Bluffs, Anne Osmundson, R-Volga, Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville, Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, Henry Stone, R-Forest City, Cherielynn Westrich, R-Ottumwa, and Skyler Wheeler, R-Orange City, signed.
Read the letter below:
FINAL trinity health seeking clarificaitonGov. Kim Reynolds in July said she believes health care facilities have the right to require their employees to be vaccinated.
