By a vote of 15-10 (all Republicans voted Yes, all Democrats voted No), the Pennsylvania House Health Committee gave its approval to a measure that could eventually lead to an amendment of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The proposal calls for the following language to be inserted into the state’s constitution –
“The right of an individual to refuse any medical procedure, treatment, injection, vaccine or prophylactic may not be questioned or interfered with in any manner. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged to any person in this Commonwealth because of the exercise of the right under this section.”
The measure was first introduced by State Representative Russ Diamond of Lebanon. He is calling it the Right to Medical Freedom Amendment.
If the Right to Medical Freedom Amendment became law, Main Line Health, which owns Lankenau, Bryn Mawr and Paoli Hospitals would have to change its requirements for new employees in order to be in compliance with the amendment.
Main Line Health currently requires that new employees provide proof of vaccination for the following:
- TB testing – If you have a QFT (Quantiferon) lab test result dated within six months of your post-offer exam date, please bring this with you. Otherwise you will have a blood test at your occupational health exam to meet this requirement.
- Varicella – We accept proof of immunity to varicella (chickenpox) via a positive IgG blood test or documentation of two doses of varicella vaccine. Once the two-dose vaccine series is begun, it must be completed in order to meet the requirement for employment.
- Measles/mumps/rubella – We accept proof of immunity to MMR as defined by two documented vaccines, one month apart, occurring after the first birthday. Lab titers showing positive IgG antibodies are also acceptable.
- Hepatitis B – The hepatitis B vaccination program is offered to employees whose jobs place them at risk of exposure to blood, body fluid, or human tissue. Vaccination is strongly encouraged. If you wish to decline the hepatitis B vaccine, please complete a declination form which will be provided to you at your occupational health appointment examination.
- Pertussis – Although offered to everyone, TDAP is a requirement of on-boarding employees with clinical contact.
- Influenza – During our annual mandatory flu vaccination campaign, new hires will be expected to comply with Main Line Health flu vaccination requirements. If you have written proof of your annual influenza vaccination, please bring this to your occupational health appointment.
Dan Frankel, the ranking Democrat on the committee, speaking in oppposition to the proposed amendment, noted that “it wasn’t that long ago that public health was celebrated on both sides of the aisle. In 2002, the PA House voted UNANIMOUSLY to require meningitis immunizations for college students.”
[…] Russ Diamond, a powerful Republican in the Pennsylvania House, is putting pressure on Republicans running for Governor and for the U.S. Senate to support his HB-2013, which he calls The Right to Medical Freedom Amendment. […]