Where Rochester area legislators stand on Mayo Clinic's vaccine mandate

Earlier this month, 38 Republicans in the Minnesota House — including two lawmakers from our area — signed on to a letter addressed to Mayo Clinic CEO and President Dr. Gianrico Farrugia condemning the Rochester-based medical system for enforcing a Covid-19 vaccine mandate. Since that time, a number of other local legislators from both sides of the aisle have weighed in on the issue — many defending Mayo’s right to establish a policy that aligns with its patient-first mission. Mayo, for its part, has said it has a “moral imperative” to have a vaccinated workforce.

Reps. Duane Quam, R-Byron, and Nels Pierson, R-Rochester

Both local lawmakers signed on to the letter urging Mayo to drop its staff mandate, saying they “do not believe it is ethical, nor is it realistic.” They also expressed concern about Mayo’s process for religious exemptions and the impact staff losses could have on rural health care.

“This top down, heavy-handed, all-or-none employee policy does not fit the reputation or image we know the Mayo Clinic to have. Religious exemptions seem to be difficult to obtain and inconsistent. There are examples of one spouse working at Mayo receiving the religious exemption and the other spouse did not. No one will share with employees why they were denied. This is all highly disheartening, especially considering that Mayo is an institution that was founded upon religious principles and by Franciscan Sisters with sincerely held religious beliefs”

Rep. Liz Boldon, DFL-Rochester

“I support healthcare organizations’ decisions to require Covid-19 vaccination for their staff. Vaccines — proven safe and effective — are the path to the other side of this pandemic and how we keep each other safe. Healthcare workers have a responsibility to their patients to who trust them with their care. Putting the needs of the patient first, means getting vaccinated. Leaders arguing against vaccines are not only irresponsible, they’re dangerous and incredibly disrespectful to the nurses and other care providers who are working extremely hard in a healthcare system buckling under the weight of a raging virus.”

Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester

“As Minnesota’s ICU beds fill, hospitals are overwhelmed, and our state passes 10,000 deaths from Covid-19, Republican legislators are actually working to disrupt vaccination efforts. Their attack on Mayo Clinic is particularly disturbing. They question Mayo’s scientific judgment and decisions about how to best protect its patients and even threaten to withhold state funding if they don’t get their way. Meanwhile, doctors, nurses, and health care leaders are pleading with Minnesotans to get vaccinated and take other precautions to fight the pandemic. It’s past time for Republicans to abandon extremism and help fight this threat to our public health.”

Sen. Dave Senjem, R-Rochester

“While I am vaccinated and boosted personally, and encourage vaccinations, I also understand and accept that this is a personal decision for all to make.

Likewise, as a private business Mayo Clinic may establish and implement internal vaccination policies that best serve their values and strategic interest. Mayo Clinic’s core value is and has always been, “above all else, the needs and interests of the patient come first.” They have publicly stated that their vaccination policy reflects consistency with this core value, namely their responsibility for patient safety.

I know from constituents contacts that the Mayo vaccination policy has created concerns for some employees. I have made Mayo aware of these concerns in conversations with the organization’s governmental relations staff.

I understand this is a difficult situation for all involved but I respect a private business’ right to establish vaccination policies which best serve and reflect their core values.”

Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester: Did not respond to request for comment.

Cover photo: File / William Forsman for Med City Beat