WYOMING — On Wednesday morning, Senator Lummis introduced the “COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act” alongside Kentucky Senator Rand Paul to prohibit federal taxpayer dollars from supporting healthcare facilities that deny care to patients based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Lummis cosponsored this bill following reports that healthcare facilities are denying patients lifesaving treatments, such as organ transplants if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is a personal decision, one every individual in Wyoming should be able to make for themselves,” Senator Lummis said.
“That personal decision should not dictate whether or not one has access to, oftentimes, lifesaving health care. Institutions, like medical facilities, that receive federal funding have no reason to deny care to the people of Wyoming solely based on their personal choice to get vaccinated.”
Wyoming has one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country.
“The American Medical Association (AMA) has urged physicians to refrain from denying care to patients based on vaccination status,” a press release from Lummis’ office said. “If health care providers continue to deny care to those unvaccinated for COVID-19, thousands of Wyoming patients could be at risk of being denied emergency services, such as organ transplants.”
Read the full text of the bill here.
