A group is asking Texas lawmakers to make it illegal for companies to require their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Members of the group "Guardians of Medical Choice" made their appeal during a news conference in Austin. They were joined by some sympathetic members of the Texas Legislature.
Jennifer Bridges lost her job at a hospital in Houston when she refused to get the vaccine.
"This is very unjust, unethical and unconstitutional," she said. "We are here making sure that this does not happen to so many other people across the country."
The group is calling for the Texas Legislature to take up several bills written to prevent employers from being allowed to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for their employees.
"Right now, the State of Texas should be saying 'hell, no' to United Airlines and any other company that wants to infringe on our rights to make our own personal decisions about what's best for us," said State Rep. Steve Toth, R-Spring.
United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Airlines have all instructed their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or face dismissal.
Many hospital chains have also adopted vaccine requirements for their employees. Dr. Clayton Young of Montgomery County is concerned about the impact that could have on hospital staffing.
"They're saying that there's only one percent of their working staff that are being dismissed, that's going to add up in a hurry," he said. "If you think we have a health care provider shortage now, I think it's just going to get worse," he said.
Rep. Toth and State Senator Bob Hall of Rockwall have both authored bills designed to regulate businesses and prevent them from requiring their employees to be vaccinated.
"No one in our society should be hindered from participating in business, school or government just because they have made the very personal decision not to receive a particular vaccine," Sen. Hall said.
The anti-vaccine mandate bills have not been brought up for votes in the legislature. Lawmakers have been focused on redistricting during their third consecutive special session, which started on September 20th and will run for 30 days.
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