Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Idaho Enacts Landmark ‘Medical Freedom’ Law Banning Vaccine Mandates
In a move championed as protecting individual liberties, Idaho has become the first state in the nation to prohibit vaccine mandates in both educational institutions and private businesses. The groundbreaking ‘Idaho Medical Freedom Act’ prevents businesses, schools, and government entities from denying services or entry to individuals who decline any ‘medical intervention,’ encompassing vaccines, medical procedures, or medications. This pioneering legislation positions Idaho at the forefront of the medical freedom movement.
‘Idaho Medical Freedom Act’ Details
The newly enacted ‘Idaho Medical Freedom Act’ explicitly forbids private companies, educational institutions, and governmental bodies from restricting access or services to individuals who have not undergone a ‘medical intervention.’ This broad definition includes vaccinations, medical procedures, and prescription drugs.
Governor Brad Little, a Republican, signed the measure into law last week. It is slated to take effect on July 1st.
Background: Declining Vaccination Rates
This legal development emerges amidst declining vaccination rates nationwide and a rise in requests for medical and religious exemptions. This trend has been cited as a contributing factor to recent outbreaks of preventable diseases, such as the measles outbreak affecting over 500 individuals in Texas.
Concerns over mRNA Vaccine Ban
Idaho is also among a small group of states considering separate legislative actions to ban mRNA vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, for a decade, citing concerns about reported adverse reactions. This proposed ban, if approved, would specifically target mRNA vaccines used to combat COVID-19.
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Reactions to the New Law
Criticism: Public Health Risks
Detractors of the ‘Idaho Medical Freedom Act’ have voiced strong objections. Critics speaking to DailyMail.com labeled the bill as “a terrible idea,” warning it could trigger a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases beyond measles, such as pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough.”
Support: Individual Autonomy
Conversely, other health experts have lauded the legislation as “a brave step in the right direction,” emphasizing its role in safeguarding personal autonomy and the right to make individual health decisions.
Scope of ‘Medical Intervention’
The legislation defines ‘medical interventions’ comprehensively, encompassing “a procedure, treatment, device, drug injection, medication, or action undertaken to diagnose, prevent, or treat a disease or modify a person’s health or biological function.”
Impact on Businesses and Schools
Business and Government Restrictions
Under this new law, businesses and government facilities are prohibited from mandating medical interventions as a condition for employment, venue admission, transportation access, or service provision.
School Policies
Public and private schools, including universities and vocational institutions, are also barred from requiring vaccines or other interventions for student enrollment, employment, or entry to school premises.
Revised Bill and Daycare Exemption
Governor Little signed this version of the bill after vetoing an earlier iteration. The updated legislation clarifies that schools retain the authority to send sick children home at their discretion. Furthermore, a spokesperson for Governor Little clarified to The Idaho Statesman that licensed daycare facilities are still permitted to mandate vaccinations under the new law.
Legislative Intent
Representative Robert Beiswenger, a Republican, explained to lawmakers that the bill “prevents medical coercion, medical mandates.” He elaborated, stating, “People can opt for these treatments if they choose, but they are not obligated if they do not wish to. While businesses can ask individuals to leave their premises, they cannot compel them to undergo medical treatments like vaccinations or other interventions.”
Idaho’s Vaccine Exemption Rates
Highest in the Nation
Idaho currently holds the highest rate of kindergarteners with vaccine exemptions in the United States, based on recent CDC data. During the 2023-2024 academic year, 14 percent of kindergarten students had a vaccine exemption, exceeding the national average by threefold.
Comparison to Other States
Alaska follows with the second-highest exemption rate at 10 percent. In Idaho, only 80 percent of kindergarteners received both doses of the MMR vaccine for measles prevention, while the national average stands at 93 percent.
Low Rates of Other Vaccinations
Idaho also recorded the lowest rates nationally for polio, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), and varicella (chickenpox) vaccinations among kindergarteners, falling 15 percent below national averages.
Previous Covid Vaccine Mandate Ban
In 2023, Governor Little previously signed a law prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
Vaccine Mandates Globally
While vaccine mandates are common in the U.S., particularly in schools, they are less prevalent in countries like the UK. In the UK, vaccinations for school attendance are recommended but not compulsory. Childhood vaccination rates in the UK average around 90 percent, slightly lower than the U.S. average of 93 percent.
Expert Opinions on ‘Medical Freedom’ Law
Supporting View: Patient Choice
Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist and public health expert, echoed Representative Beiswenger’s viewpoint, asserting to DailyMail.com that the law grants Idahoans greater control over their health decisions.
She stated, “Idaho’s new ‘medical freedom‘ bill is a commendable step forward because no government entity should possess the authority to dictate what enters a person’s body. The liberty to safeguard one’s body and make choices concerning one’s health is a fundamental human right.”
Dr. Lieberman further clarified, “This bill does not prevent individuals from receiving vaccines; it simply entrusts the decision to them, rather than businesses or schools.”
She concluded, “It is the role of doctors and health departments to conduct campaigns explaining the advantages of specific drugs and treatments, but ultimately, the final decision should rest with the individual or family.”
Opposing View: Public Health Concerns
Conversely, Dr. Dyan Hes, Medical Director of Highline Modern Medicine in New York City, expressed concern to this website regarding the bill’s timing, given the ongoing measles outbreak.
He warned, “With the current measles outbreak, legislation enabling families to opt out of mandated vaccinations will amplify the spread of measles to unvaccinated individuals, including infants under one year old and those with compromised immune systems.”
Dr. Hes added, “This bill will also contribute to the resurgence of other vaccine-preventable illnesses, notably pertussis (whooping cough), which is already making a comeback due to reduced vaccination rates and waning immunity.”
Pertussis Deaths on the Rise
According to recent CDC data, 10 children died from whooping cough last year, marking the highest number in almost a decade.
Dr. Hes emphasized, “Vaccines save lives. Period. Regrettably, many Americans fail to appreciate the privilege of being vaccinated.”