Three conservative justices noted that they were dissidents. The state does not offer a religious exemption for nurses and hospital workers who are at risk of losing their jobs if they do not get vaccinated.
Only New York City and Rhode Island have mandated vaccines for health care workers, which do not include religious exemptions. Both have been the subject of court battles. A federal appeals court panel affirmed New York’s mandate to give vaccines to health care workers on Friday. It rejected arguments from lawyers for doctors, nurses, and other professionals that the mandate did not adequately protect religiously-religious patients.
The Supreme Court didn’t explain its decision, as is the case in emergency appeals. Justice Neil Gorsuch, along with two other conservatives, stated in a dissent that he would have accepted the request of health care workers.
Gorsuch wrote that Maine, unlike other States, has chosen a different path. “There are healthcare workers who served as frontline personnel in a pandemic over the past 18 months being fired and their practices closed. All because they adhere to their constitutionally protected religious beliefs. Their situation is worth our attention.
Justice Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito joined him.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett stated in a brief statement that she agreed with the court’s decision to not intervene and that the justices were being asked for “extraordinary relief” in a case of this nature. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a fellow conservative, joined her.
The legal team that filed suit to stop the mandate was determined to return to the Supreme Court and demand a thorough review of the merits. Mat Staver (founder and chair of Liberty Counsel) stated that “this case is far from over.”
Democratic Governor. Janet Mills expressed gratitude for the upholding of the mandate, saying that hospitals must “take all precautions to protect their patients and workers against this deadly virus.”
She stated that the rule “protects health care workers, patients and the stability of the health care system in the face this dangerous virus.” “Vaccination is the only way to defeat COVID-19, just as smallpox was defeated by vaccination and polio was defeated by vaccination.”
Students at Indiana University, and teachers in New York City have been turned down by the high court for refusing to be vaccinated. Both the city and university allow religious exemptions to be sought. All justices have been immunized.
The governor of Maine set the requirement. The mandate was not stopped by a federal judge in Maine, who concluded that the lawsuit would be unsuccessful. After the Oct. 13 ruling, a flood of appeals led to a second trip to the Supreme Court.
Liberty Counsel filed the lawsuit on behalf of more than 2,000 health workers who didn’t want to have to get vaccinated.
Many health care workers have left the profession. A hospital in Maine’s second largest city has already reduced some admissions due to an “acute shortage of nurses”.
However, most health professionals have followed the instructions and Maine residents have supported the vaccine. The Maine Hospital Association, and other health care organizations support the requirement.
The governor also announced that 80% of Mainers would be vaccinated on the day of implementation of the mandate.
Mills stated that she admires people who are willing to put their hands up for what is right for their community, their neighbors and themselves.
