ST. PAUL, Minn. – For the first time, Essentia Health, which has 44 clinics in Minnesota, is requiring its employees, vendors and volunteers to get flu shots or lose their jobs.

The United Steel Workers union represents 2,000 of those workers, and said the policy would be a violation of their contract and its members' civil rights. The union's lawyer, Justin Cummins, said Essentia hasn't been willing to bargain or compromise.

"There are employees who are being forced to submit to the vaccination who have no patient contact whatsoever because, for example, they work from home or they otherwise work remotely,” Cummins said.

Essentia said it is requiring flu shots to protect patients.

The company has until Wednesday to file its response to the lawsuit. If there is no agreement before Nov. 7, a federal judge will decide whether to stop the company from implementing the policy.

Dr. Rajesh Prabhu, an infectious disease specialist at Essentia, said Minnesota health care workers get vaccinated at a lower rate than health care workers in other states, and that's why Essentia decided a mandate was necessary.

"Unfortunately, Minnesota ranks 44th out of 50 states in influenza vaccine among health care personnel,” Prabhu said. "The average influenza vaccination rate is only 81.4 percent."

Prabhu said where flu shots are mandatory, the vaccination rate tops 90 percent.

But some people don't immunize for religious reasons; others because they're worried about potential health problems associated with some vaccines, although those risks are reported to be extremely small. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program may provide financial assistance for individuals found to have been injured by a vaccine covered by its program.

The union argued the states with the highest health care worker vaccination rates have state laws requiring them to get shots. In Minnesota, there is no such law, and Cummins contended Essentia is wrong to impose the policy.

"The employer does not seem willing to consider less invasive alternatives,” he said. "And in other facilities, those who do not receive vaccinations will wear a face mask when they're dealing with patients directly."

Essentia has said employees who do not get flu shots will be fired on Nov. 20.

Find CDC information on vaccinations among health care professionals here.


get more stories like this via email

After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


get more stories like this via email

New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.