State Representative Russ Diamond, a Republican from Lebanon County, announced on October 7 that he is seeking co-sponsors for an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution.
The language that Diamond is proposing for addition to Article 1 of the Pennsylvania Constitution reads as follows:
Right to Medical Freedom.
The right of an individual to refuse any medical procedure, treatment, injection, vaccine or prophylactic shall 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.
On Facebook, Diamond explained the benefit of his proposed amendment:
As applied to the covid “vaccine,” the first sentence protects you from a government mandate. The second sentence protects you from discrimination via a private sector mandate.
Diamond added – Leftists seem to want to put this on par with their “healthcare is a human right” mantra, but it’s not the same. They believe you should be able to force others to provide you with a service, and ultimately make others pay for it. Mine only allows you to refuse a service from others and protects you from being punished for saying NO. It costs nothing.
In an email, Diamond responded to how his amendment would impact the schools that currently require their students to show proof of having several vaccinations. He wrote – There already are medical, religious, and philisophical exemptions for schools. This would allow EVERYONE in all situations to be exempt simply by saying no.
As the amendment is currently written, even private schools would not be able to refuse admission to an applicant, solely on the basis of failing to show proof of any required vaccinations.
Main Health also 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.
The Right to Medical Freedom Amendment would also free new employees at hospitals and medical facilities from the requirement of showing any proof of any vaccination.