Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

A bill for an act relating to the medical privacy and freedom Act, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2545.)

Subcommittee members: Jacobsen-CH, Boden, Hunter

Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022

Time: 2:00 PM - 5:55 PM

Location: RM 103, Sup. Ct. Chamber

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

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02-04-2022

Josiah Thomas []

I am emailing in support of HSB 647.Last year, when President Biden announced what was essentially a vaccine mandate, my company, Workiva, put into place a vaccine policy of their own. It still remains in place as of this writing (2/4/2022).This policy barred any employee that would not upload their vaccine card to our company's HR software, from entering any of our offices, as well as any travel. In addition, any employee that did not comply had their badge (which grants them access to our offices) deactivated. Even though this is not private medical information, certain parties within our company could infer about our medical status based on the status of our badge. In addition, the policy is essentially "prove you are vaccinated, or stay home." There are no exceptions for prior infection, religious/medical exemptions, or weekly testing. Prove your vaccination status, or be discriminated against, is the new culture we have created. Because of the discrimination being experience by myself, and many of my peers, I am asking for your support in passing this bill to protect our medical freedoms.Thank you for your time and consideration.

02-04-2022

Kenneth Mai []

My employer currently requires I provide my private medical information (vaccination status) in order to participate in activities and perks available to other employees. The lack of medical privacy has resulted in active discrimination with no obvious, scientific benefit to me or my employer. Unless this bill is passed, I will continue to be discriminated against by my employer for the foreseeable future.

02-04-2022

Morgan Davis []

I have never felt like more of an outcast with my current employer, who always advertises their inclusivity. Our company has chosen to stick to their vaccine mandate, stating we must be fully vaccinated in order to be in the office. They do not allow the option of testing or proof of prior infection/natural immunity. They do however allow outside vendors to be inside the office and not vaccinated.We have voiced our opinions how this negatively impacts us mentally and professionally. And they have stated they are doing this for the health and safety of their employees. They have stated they made these guidelines based on CDC and WHO, but also will not update their policies as CDC and WHO comes out with updated information.Please make this bill law so we no longer feel vilified for our personal medical choice that only impacts the self, not others.

02-04-2022

Mike Davis []

Today, an Iowan's race, age, gender, religion, disability, and sexual orientation are protected, and for good reason. Throughout history, those identifiers have been used as the means for discrimination, and as Iowans, we know it is wrong when we see it. But with the introduction of COVID vaccine mandates, it has brought to the forefront the need to include medical privacy to that list of protected classes as that information is now being used for discrimination. I myself work for an employer, and Iowa based company, who requires vaccination from COVID to enter the any North American office, travel for business, or attend inperson meetings. While working from home is permitted, there is continued pressure by executive leaders to get vaccinated and comply with the policy. Even with the SCOTUS ruling and the Biden Administration dropping the mandate, the vaccination policy remains in effect, all under the guise of public health and employee safety. Since vaccination information is not HIPPA protected, and requiring vaccination is not ADA protected, it is clear that private companies will continue to abuse this loophole and attempt force many Iowans to receive an irreversible medical procedure or face the termination of their livelihood. With the passage of HSB 647, medical privacy would be added as a protected right for Iowans and prevent private companies from overstepping their role into the private lives of their employees.

02-05-2022

Laura Carlson []

I've been refused entrance to events and group activities due to my refusal to produce an official vaccination card for the covid shots. My son was forced to wear a mask at age 21 at his employer without proof of vaccine in 2021. He has now returned to Iowa State where freedom has been protected by the state legislature. The rules are arbitrary about vaccine cards, will someone require a third a fifth or more over time? Please protect our freedom and right to medical freedom. What's next? Forcing us to weigh in? Forcing us to eat healthy or quit smoking? I don't smoke but value our freedom to choose.

02-05-2022

Ryan Brancheau []

Back in October I experienced religious discrimination. My religious exemption was denied by my employer Workiva & I was terminated. Workiva mandated vaccination for essential workers to visit an office, attend inperson meetings, indoor events or conduct business travel, with no option for testing or proof of natural immunity in September 2021. Proof of vaccination was to be uploaded by Oct. 18, 2021 or your badge access would be turned off and you would be terminated. I filed for my religious exemption right away as my job was mostly conducted in offices. They denied my exemption saying that We are not persuaded that the document you have provided represents your own sincerely held religious belief. My religious views didn't just surface. Mine are the culmination of my 41 years. My dad is a pastor and I have grown up in the church my whole life. I have a lifetime of people who will attest to that. None of my personal friends received letters or phone calls verifying my religious beliefs! I would have been more than happy to give them several email addresses and phone numbers of people that can attest to my 41 year history of beliefs. I had and recovered from covid in August of 2021. I was also was part of the National Study of COVID19 Natural Immunity in Unvaccinated Persons(IRB00295352) that is being led by a research team of surgeons, infectious disease doctors and epidemiologists at Johns Hopkins University. My results were positive that I did have natural immunity and antibodies to fight covid all without taking a vaccine that went against my religious beliefs. Up until covid natural immunity meant something. My son is forced to wear a mask at work & comes home with rashes & sores on his face. He has a physical job & the masks are depleting oxygen from his system. This is not right or healthy. Its not just employers, retailers & restaurants are discriminating with masks. They dont know my medical issues & if I can or cant wear a medical device. Enough is enough! We need laws like this to protect the religious & civil rights of Iowans while holding companies feet to the fire & imposing consequences should they violate our rights. My medical & religious decisions are none of my employers or any other venues business.

02-06-2022

Pam Sparks []

The beginning of May 2020 our youngest married daughter, mother of three children, went into the hospital in Iowa City for a hysterectomy. None of us, her husband, her sisters, her dad or myself, mother, were able to get in to visit or advocate for her or help her make decisions. Consequently it went terribly wrong. After a six hour surgery (while we sat outside on a rainy day waiting to hear something because we were not allowed inside), she was left with a huge incision and prescribed opioids. They took more of her body than they needed to. She was on the road to recovery but the prescription opioids turned into an addiction and that was all she cared about, getting that next pill. Drs overlooked that addiction instead of treating it and it lead to her not being able to eat or eliminate. Opioid induced nausea/vomiting and opioid induced constipation. She couldn't eat or drink and starved to death and left us October 2020. Five months. If she weighed 50 pounds at death I'd be surprised. It is so horrendous! Words do not do it justice! The medical industry has gone terribly wrong. Then to hear David Martin who knows patents say that the United States government owns Patents on non addictive opioids but refuses to make them really makes me mad! So many lives lost because of prescription drugs! We must have freedom of choice and privacy. Big pHARMA must be held accountable! Past time for the NIH and other agencies that have surrounded this debacle to be put out of business! IN NOT BEING allowed into the hospital to help her, we lost her. This is wrong. Medical tyranny! The number 3 killer in the USA is dr and hospital mistakes. So many unnecessary deaths. Our hearts are broken.

02-06-2022

Cortni Hansen []

I am emailing in support of HSB 647. Every individual deserves the right to their medical privacy. Many individuals have medical or religious exemptions to vaccines. Requiring individuals to disclose their medical or religious information is discrimination. This vaccine does not stop transmission or prevent you from getting the virus. Just as masks do not stop transmission or prevent you from getting the virus unless they are an N95 that has been fitted to you by a professional. The vaccine has created a large amount of division in our communities and it will only get worse if employers are allowed to access your medical information. I urge you to pass HSB647 and stop discrimination from continuing further. Natural immunity is superior to the vaccine and it is being completely disregarded by employers. I would also like to say that employees should not be required to test if they are not vaccinated. The test are completely inaccurate if ran over 35 cycles. The FDA allowed the test to be cycled at 40 + cycles at the beginning of the pandemic. Which lead to hundred of thousand false positives. The amount of fear these positive test have created in our community is saddening. Fear is an easy way to control people and with it being pumped on the TV 24/7 it is easy to buy into. There is early treatment and life style changes that can save your life. Our politicians should be focusing on that and getting back to normal. This is not China but its getting closer.

02-06-2022

Dennis Shea []

Please vote YES for Bill HSB 647, the bill relating to our medical privacy and freedom privileges. As a health care worker, any type pf worker, employer, employee or just a normal Iowa citizen, it is important to be able to choose your own medical treatment and /or including vaccinations if wanted. There should be no impediment to our rights as a Iowa or US citizen. VOTE YES FOR HSB 647 !THANK YOU!

02-06-2022

James Murcia []

I urge the Iowa legislature to pass HSB 647. As a son, brother, father, and husband, I rely on the constitutional rights we as Iowans and Americans, follow, expect, and deserve by those elected.As a human being, I follow, expect, and deserve the liberties, rights, and freedom of choice, to care for myself and my family regarding medical/health choices. I accord you all these same liberties, rights, and freedoms to care for you and yours however you see fit. Those choices are mine to keep, and share with only those I give consent to. No one has a right to demand that I must adhere to any medical/health treatment, including ANY EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENT. No one has the right to demand or coherse medical/health information about my family or myself, especially as a condition of employment, living condition, or supplying food and clothing to myself and family. I am employed by a County government agency that has pressured, cohersed, and discriminated employees by requiring proof of C19 injections and masking. It is a fundamental human right to bodily autonomy with the same rights associated with my medical/health information. I pray for you all, to have the strength, courage, and integrity to see truth in human rights.

02-06-2022

Collin Kueter []

I implore the legislature to pass HSB 647. I have had to share my private medical information in order to keep my job and as a result of my answer I have been restricted access to company property (I can't go into the office or company sponsored events). I have already been discriminated against because of my Covid vaccination status and I worry that without the protection that this bill would provide I may experience more discrimination and loose my job if they decide to change the company policy to require all employees to receive the covid shot regardless of whether one can work from home.

02-07-2022

JANELLE ONNEN []

I support the passage of HSB 647 and encourage action against medical tyranny. I have two stories to share. First, I was denied treatment from Dermatology Associates because I could not wear a mask in the waiting room. I have attached a letter that I sent to Dr. Sands authorizing them to transfer my records to another physician and explaining exactly what happened. I actually ended up having surgery to remove a pre cancer mole so had I not have transferred I could have ended up with Melanoma again. This is serious stuff going on and it's disgusting it's happening in America.My second story is that I was asked to resign from my board position at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital in 2021 because I could not wear a mask to an appointment. Keely Harken and CEO Adam Scherling declined my request for 1 hour to share my medical information with them. Instead they insisted either I resign or I will be terminated from my board position. I live in a small town and this tarnished my reputation. This can not go on and I implore you to stop it! Thank you so muchJanelle Onnen

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02-07-2022

Stacy Pierce []

As a local contractor many businesses open to the public refused me entry since I would not wear a mask. I have been threatened arrest for trying to enter without a mask on. My 8 year old son was mentally, socially and psychological abused by the school system. He was put in a corner, behind a plastic wall, eat by himself, recess by himself. Hee was harassed by kids. I reached out to the school and of course to no avail. I stand here today still fighting the tyranny and abuse accuring to all our Innocent children. As a father, man of God. For the children I ask for you to vote yes. God bless.

02-07-2022

Linda Braden []

Thank you for insuring our freedoms with this bill. It is unfortunate how much this bill is needed. I have never seen such division and discrimination over something that has always been a personal choice. For any person to lose the ability to travel freely, earn a living, or be treated differently because of their choice is wrong. This bill affects so much more than just medical privacy and freedom. Thank you for standing up for Iowans.

02-07-2022

Diane Hathaway []

Our government or private businesses should never interfere with an individual's right to make their own health care decisions. No one should be shamed, bullied, bribed, coerced or discriminated against in any way for failure to submit to a medical treatment. No one is obligated to blindly follow CDC guidance. We are obligated to protect our rights and the rights of others. Inaction is action. We all need to support HSB 647.

02-07-2022

Barb Ewer []

Please vote YES for the Medical Freedom Act in Iowa. For the first time ever the staff in my organization are being asked to comply with mandates that take away individual choice. Recently, they are told to get a vaccination or look for a new job. Some exemptions were accepted. Starting this week, there is a group of staff that have a certain status that will be tested weekly for the virus. Data is showing that any of us can spread and catch this virus regardless of vaccination status. Discrimination. Please vote YES for the Medical Freedom Act in Iowa. THere is a woman who is being demoted to work in the laundry area only because of exemption status. She cannot come within 6 feet of coworkers or residents. She was hired as an Activity Coordinator. Please vote YES for the Medical Freedom Act in Iowa.Thank you!

02-07-2022

Nicholas Garaycochea []

I support the Medical Privacy & Freedom Act because it protects Iowans who have made concious decisions to decline the mRNA vaccines, of which not all have yet been FDAapproved. It is never permissible for a private or public organization to descriminate against their employees based on their private medical decisions. As Iowans, we must live by the motto sewn into our Tricolor: 'Our Liberties We Prize, and Our Rights We Will Maintain,' and reject any private or public mandate or act of coercion against our personal freedoms.

02-07-2022

Cindy Reel []

Hello,My name is Cindy Reel, and I am a resident of Grundy County.I am writing to you to voice my support for HSB647. I am a 60 year old healthy and active woman. I am also considered an essential worker and as such had the experience of continuing to work through the original pandemic panic, and thus was also considered a hero. Fast forward one year and I found myself one step away from being fired, because my place of employment was following Bidens illegal and obnoxious mandate for businesses with 100 employees, and I refused to give corporate my vaccine status. While my employer did employ 100 + employees SPREAD OUT over around 3040 locations, at MY location, we actually only have THREE employees and one student who is there a couple of hours a day, yet my employer was trying to push their covid panic onto me. This was dropped after the SC ruling, and I was able to keep my job without giving them my personal vaccine info. This whole pandemic experience has opened my eyes to how our supposed for the people, of the people, and by the people government has instead, tried to overrun the will of the people. While most of this government overreach has occurred at the federal level, I have been disappointed in so many of the states , sometimes including Iowa, who have refused to stand up for, or listen to their constituents, and I am glad to see and want to support Iowa legislators trying to do the right thing here, with medical freedom.

02-07-2022

Shairi St. Clair []

Please pass the bill HSB 647 which will keep citizens medical information private. I worked for a healthcare corporation/hospital for 15 years. The constant propaganda that we received through emails thatthe vaccines are safe and effective was enough to make me nauseous. I applied for a religious exemption and received it, but I felt like my privacy rights had been violated. Then to be able to keep my job, I was told I would have to be tested weekly. I could also apply for a religious exemption for thatbut I felt like that request would be a lie, as I disagreed with the accuracy and science behind the tests, it wasnt for a religious reason. It was at that point I decided to take early retirement. Im only 64 and planned to work for a couple of more years. I loved my job, but I decided to leave without making a scene for not complying.

02-07-2022

Julie Grundberg []

HSB 647 Please pass this bill of freedom of Medical privacy. The jab does NOT prevent the virus/or prevent transmission. THIS IS A FORM OF DISCRIMINATION TO FORCE THIS JAB on people. This is unconstitutional to force a dangerous jab OR LOSE YOUR JOB.

02-07-2022

Melissa Schnetter []

Please SUPPORT HSB647. There are cities in this country where you cannot go to a restaurant without showing your vaccine card. In Boston, a 31yearold father of two was recently denied a transplant he desperately needs because of his vaccine status. And, my own son was dismissed from his pediatricians office (West Des Moines) because we were not comfortable with all 72 vaccines on the childhood schedule. Healthcare should not be Per the CDC. Healthcare should be between you and your doctor. Weve seen what can happen over the past two years. Please protect Iowans and support this bill.

02-07-2022

Mandy Jurgensen []

Mandy JurgensenI am in support of HSB647. I am a health care worker, I was a homehealth aide and a hospice aide. My employer mandated the vaccine, I submitted a religious exemption and it was denied. I appealed it and went into personal detail of my personal life, more than I feel an employer should know. They then wanted me to sign a list of medications and state that I would never take any on the list again. I felt I had already given the necessary information so I declined. I was then terminated. The people I took care of do not understand why I was fired and they are the ones truly suffering.It seems we are being punished and discriminated against because we don't feel comfortable doing as we are told. I loved my job, I believe it was what I was meant to do but I can't sacrifice my beliefs for an employer who doesn't have any respect for me or my beliefs.

02-08-2022

Kim Pinegar []

I respectfully request your support for HSB 647. I'm not sure we can point to one date in particular in the last 2 years, that signaled the end of bodily autonomy, it was more of a domino effect. Just two weeks to "slow the spread" turned into months, then years. We were initially told that wearing a mask was pointless, but then just a few short weeks later, you were ostracized from society if you were caught NOT wearing a mask. And now there are countless studies proving what the original story was, masks do little to nothing to prevent the spread of covid. Then it was a mad dash to try to get the entire world "vaccinated", with a product that the pharmaceutical companies have ZERO liability for, and skipped animal trials and studies of longterm side effects. We STILL don't know what the longterm side effects are, but you only have to look at openvaers.com/coviddata to see what the devastating short term effects are. Where is the media coverage on these numbers:23,149 deaths31,185 myocarditis/pericarditis41,163 permanently disabled3,903 miscarriages...this one breaks my heart to pieces. If you are a mother, sister, aunt or have a wife, sister, niece, etc who has ever gone through a miscarriage, you might know how heartbreaking and nearly unbearable it is to experience such a thing. Babies are being murdered by this shot.And these are only the reported numbers, thousands and thousands more are out there that don't ever get reported. Please consider a few things...1. Why in the world is this "vaccine" being touted as a onesizefitsall solution? Every person has a unique genetic makeup, and what works for one person, is not guaranteed to work for another person. If we follow this backwards logic, then everyone should eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch every day. What's that, you say? You're ALLERGIC to peanut butter? Nope, don't care, this is for your neighbor's safety; you MUST eat peanut butter to protect others. 2. Why is it NOT ok to discriminate against someone based on their skin color or sex, but with these mandates, it has become ok and even encouraged to discriminate someone based on their medical status?3. Look at the data coming from some of the most vaccinated countries in the world. Are they better off than they were before the vaccine and mandates? (The answer is NO).4. These covid jabs are doing more harm than good. Review the attached document for specific details.If the pharmaceutical companies are not liable for their products, then those companies and employers FORCING the products onto us should absolutely be liable. Please uphold the inalienable rights of Iowans, and be a leader for other states to follow suit and pass this bill.

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02-08-2022

Holly Benning []

I am emailing in support of HSB 647. I have been a nurse for the past 17 years and now facing termination from one of my current employers. Although both employers (hospitals) have stated they are following a standardized process following the CMS requirements, I received approval for permanent exemption from one employer while the other has stated that my exemption submission will not be reviewed without answering intrusive personal questions. Not only did my employer demand that I answer several "required" questions regarding my specific religion, the time I began my religious beliefs, the dates I practice my beliefs, the location I practice my beliefs, and verification of my beliefs from pastor, discrimination is completely evident as ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES except myself and one other have been granted approval of their exemption WITHOUT answering the questions. It is disheartening working in a profession where informed consent is one of the foundational principles to be put in a position where there is invasion of privacy and the choice of medical freedom is being taken away. I have worked diligently, tirelessly, and passionately the past 2 years picking up so many several extra shifts every week taking away from time with my family to care for patients to now be put in the position I may likely not have my job in caring for patients in the ED next week.

02-08-2022

Joe Hebert [ST AMBROSE UNIVERSITY]

I am writing to urge you to support the proposed Medical Privacy and Freedom Act, and to prioritize this urgent matter.As a husband and father raising a family in Iowa since 2005, I consider the recent alarming trend of vaccine mandates to be one of the gravest threats to my ability to support my family without sacrificing the integrity of my conscience or facing relentless harassment on specious grounds.As you know, recent federal court decisions have placed most but not all federal vaccine mandates on a path to extinction, but only on narrow technical grounds.Even when the OSHA mandate had been stayed by the 5th Circuit Court, my employer was "preparing" to enforce it. When the 6th Circuit removed the stay, I was forced to disclose my "vaccination status."Though my employer has since backed off on the OSHA mandate, due to the USSC stay, they already had policies discriminating against unvaccinated employees, and they now have a record of each employee's vaccination status.In response to my appeal, my employer made it emphatically clear to me that "No law prevents employers from gathering vaccine information from employees," or from using this information in a discriminatory fashion.That may be true, but if so it is a defect that needs to be remedied immediately.As you are aware, a majority of Americans find the idea of vaccine mandates repugnant. This makes perfect sense, as our nation was founded on the laws of nature and nature's God, which guarantee the liberty of each and every person created in the image of God.To undergo any medical procedure is a choice that must be made by the individual undergoing it (or a legal guardian) on the basis of sound medical advice tailored to the needs and circumstances of that individual.There is no coherent argument for vaccine mandates. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has openly admitted that Covid19 vaccines are "no longer effective at preventing transmission of the virus" (msn.com). Consequently, whether one person is vaccinated is of no concern to anyone else.Furthermore, the eagerness with which certain factions in our society are attempting to force sensitive health care decisions on their fellow citizens bespeaks a shocking repudiation of the principles on which this nation was founded.By their logic, there is no such thing as freedom, and each one of us belongs, body and soul, to the state.Iowa can and should lead the nation in rejecting this heinous trend and ensuring that vaccination status be kept private from anyone not being consulted for medical purposes, and ensuring that this information is not used to discriminate against citizens.Many thanks for your time, and for representing the people of Iowa.

02-08-2022

Margie Augustine []

Thank you for creating this bill! I fully support HSB 647 and encourage all legislators to support it as well. It is ludicrous for people to be treated like 2nd class citizens because they choose not to get a specific shot. We should be free to do what is best for our health without being discriminated against for that decision, whether that is at our place of employment, any business we choose to patronize, or entertainment venue we visit. There is ample evidence that the CV19 shots don't work and have caused more adverse reactions, including deaths, than any other vaccine in recorded history. Thank you for looking out for Iowans' health and best interests.

02-08-2022

Tiffany Welch []

IN FAVOR of HSB 647! This bill will end medical discrimination and returns Iowans their God given and Constitutional rights to medical privacy and choice. It is our body we deserve the right to decide what is best for us! Please vote yes!

02-08-2022

Gregory Happel []

I am commenting in support of HF647. This is a much needed bill. HF902 passed last year continued to allow organizations to violate our religious beliefs even if an exemption was granted. I was granted an exemption however the accommodation itself was discriminatory and violated the stated exemption. My exemption was that because I am taught that my body is the temple of God that I am not to take in substances that are harmful. The accommodation was to test weekly using swabs that have EtO on them. The company violated the manufacturer's intended use of the product which is 1 time within 5 days of symptoms. The company expected weekly regardless of symptoms. Even the manufacture's PDFs said that there could be health concerns due to long term exposure. I had initial concerns about this accommodation and was told this is the only accommodation. I asked about the contents of the swab. HR's answer was "I don't know. You'll have to wait and see when the tests arrive." That's negligence but under current law it's allowed because they "accepted my exemption." After I did their work for them and contacted the manufacture, got the information from pubmed.gov and informed them that they were violating the intended use of the test, I asked for a different accommodation. I was given the same answer. They refused and said that I would be fired for noncompliance if I didn't take the test. This is unacceptable. Business has the freedom to operate, not to violate our religious beliefs and our civil liberties. HF647 will enable justice without destroying people's lives. I hope you consider the motto of our state when considering HF 647.

02-08-2022

Jim Kirkman [West Des Moines Fire Department]

I'm writing in support of HSB 647. I've been a firefighter for 14 years and the City of West Des Moines began requiring employees receive an annual flu vaccine in 2021. Due to my sincerely held religious beliefs I am unable and unwilling to receive any vaccinations. I'm now required to wear a surgical mask from October to April every year. I'm required to file for an exemption annually and then have to justify my beliefs to HR. I don't believe I should have to justify my beliefs to anyone and my private medical information should be just that private.

02-09-2022

James Andersen []

I am writing in support of this bill for a few reasons:FIRST, a personal one. I had a friend of mine who lived and worked in New York he was exactly 40. He died June 30, 2021. My friend had family cardio issues, his father died when he was young. However, his health was average and he lived a productive life. Despite the family history, his job encouraged (if not forced) everyone to get the vaccine. Despite knowing his familial issues, he took the jab in the beginning of June, hoping nothing would happen to him. Then after climbing a flight of stairs one day in the middle of June he complained of tightness of chest and difficulty breathing. He delayed going to cardiologist, not wanting to believe that the vaccine did this to him. By the end of the month, he collapsed at home and died. The saddest part to this story, he struggled to complete his BAR Exam after after 7 failed attempts he finally passed it in 2020, the year of 2021 was supposed to be spent achieving various successes, he was supposed to attend my wedding (he was one of the first person's I told the good news following the proposal). Forcing people subtly or explicitly to get this vaccine, whose survival rate for most of us remains high, is a crime and people need options.SECOND, a professional story. I work in a trust office and one day had a prospective client come in saying he had inheritance money he wanted to invest into an account. His mother gotten the vaccine, and within the week died following a cardio event. The doctor said to him without any second thought, that it was the vaccine which killed her. Allowing vaccines that have been forced through production and which it's makers can somehow attempt to evade divulging safety concerns to the public until a longperiod of time is a dubious proposition and is a crime. Likewise, those who cooperate in this are criminals by way of their complacency to the act.THIRD, I have attached an opinion letter to the local newspaper following a local physicians attempt to attack this bill in the same newspaper. It basically makes clear that (1) The Medical Laws devised in The Nuremberg Code state among other things that patient voluntary consent is sacrosanct and attempts to subtly or overtly coerce a particular decision over another is a crime and (2) having lived in New York myself prior to moving out to the Midwest in October 2020, one of the reasons that made me leave was a proposed bill in NY (A. 416) which was, thankfully, later stricken down. However, it proposed granting both elected politicians and unelected specialists the power to detain persons or groups of persons and putting them into detainment facilities by executive order. The fact that such ideas are being proposed in America is disturbing. Such language opens the door to seeing people as "undesirables" and is eerily similar to the same mentality of seeing certain scapegoated peoples as "undesirables" which the Nazis experimented on in their "facilities" and which inspired the Nuremberg Code in the first place.IN the end, such uncritical acquiescence to extreme measures in a climate of fear is unacceptable. It is my hope to see that this bill becomes the first of many attempts to curtail a tyranny, justified in the name of health. Iowa stay true to your state motto!

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02-09-2022

Judy Mennen []

I support this bill! No one should be forced to do a medical procedure, with severe known side affects, in order to keep their job. They also should not have to explain in detail their religious beliefs in order to hopefully keep their job. Please pass this bill! The workforce in Iowa needs protection!

02-09-2022

Anne Ball []

I urge you to support and proceed with HSB 647. Last fall, I was concerned about the bill that passed which "banned medical passports" because it had an exclusion for medical facilities. Now, here we are in January 2022 and due to the CMS mandates our local SE IA hospitals have required a Covid shot or else submit a medical or religious exemption. Approximately 35% of employees there had not received the shot prior to that mandate and many filed a religious exemption. Many of those religious exemptions were then "denied". At our SE Iowa hospitals they were given invasive questions regarding their beliefs and then the denial stated that they were denied based on how they answered "numbers 3 and 4". More exemptions were accepted after they appealed the denial and answered the questions in a new way. The questions seemed like a trap and as if the employees were having to defend their beliefs to their employer. There were multiple examples of healthcare workers who answered the questions in the same way, but one was accepted and one was denied. Even family members who shared the same beliefs one accepted, one denied!Other hospitals in our state allowed for religious exemptions and had a simple form without invasive questioning and had no problem accepting those exemptions. Now our SE IA hospitals have a shortage of nurses due to forcing out the religious people or those who simply want to make their own medical choices many of whom had worked there for decades. Its not just a loss of a body, but a loss of experience and knowledge and providing excellent care to patients. All because of discrimination surrounding religious beliefs and personal medical choices!This type of discrimination is not acceptable. Our bodies belong to us not to CMS and not to our employers. We should not be faced with threat of job loss and ability to survive based on our medical decisions and/or religious beliefs!

02-09-2022

Michelle Porter []

I have been on medical leave since 111921 due to having COVID. I was cleared to return to my employment for 1/2 days starting 2/2/22. I filed for a religious exemption on 11/17/21 but in order to return to work I was going to be interviewed by our executive team to let them know what accommodations/modifications and additional safety measures I was requesting. I was not and am not requesting anything of the sort. I then decided instead of going to be interviewed for my religious exemption to return to work I submitted my two week notice. I was one month shy of working there for 30 years. I have decided that I am mentally and emotionally exhausted of all this and feel the healthcare industry is being discriminated against with the CMS rule in place. I have also decided to walk away from the healthcare field in general because of its ties with the federal government and its funds being tied with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. I still am not seeing how this bill is going to benefit healthcare on the state level because of the SCOTUS ruling and the ties of the reimbursements coming from the federal government I definitely am for medical freedom though. You do you and Ill do me. We all have our reasons for deciding how to take care of our own bodies.

02-09-2022

Patrick Johnson []

As part of my job, I conduct employee training on nondiscrimination and informed consent in health care. What employers, not to mention city, state, and federal officials are doing to employees and citizens flies in the face of any kind of decent healthrelated practice (not to mention, common sense) and provides a slippery slope to where privacy and individual rights can be dispensed with given any arbitrary pretense. I ask this subcommittee to please consider passing HSB 647.

02-09-2022

Mary Eileen Smith [Individual]

I am in support of HSB 647! My daughter,35yearsold. got Covid in early December2021. She was married with 2 older daughters and a 3 monthold baby. She was very sick. Our family doctor, who she'd had growing up, was polite, but told her to go home and quarantine for 2 weeks. There was no medicine he could give her, but if she got seriously ill to go to the hospital. She was seriously ill from the start high fever and chills, headache, diarrhea, body aches, loss of appetite, unable to take care of her baby and scared of transmitting it to the baby. (Babies can get Covid. my godson had a 2 monthold who got Covid, when he did.) So, we grandmothers took the baby to our houses for 2 weeks. Fortunately, I have a friend, who is an Omaha doctor, and I knew he had treated many of my friends and all became well. Katie, my daughter, was almost at the deadline of use of the Monoclonal Antibodies Infusion. She was sick for 10 days and got the Infusion on the 10th day, because my friend was so overwhelmed with Covid patients. As soon as she got the Infusion, she started to improve. Next day, fever and chills gone. She had an appetite. In a few days she was markedly improved and the following weekend, she tested negative for Covi and came and got her baby home.It seems insane the protocol for Covid! The government and medical establishment about arm wrestle you to get the questionable vaccine. Then when you get Covid, like my Katie, you're on your own, except for a few brave, overworked doctors.The vaccine has had many sideeffects. A friend, 67 yrs.old . was postmenopausal. After the vaccine she started having menstrual periods again and had to have a DNC to stop the bleeding. Her gynecologist told her it was the vaccine that caused the problem. She later that year got Covid. So, much for the Vaccination as prevention.Our family is totally for Medical Freedom for individuals and medical personnel, against the mandates of the medical and government entities.Many thanks!Mary Eileen Smith

02-09-2022

Christina C. []

Vote yes!!It is reasonable, prudent, and necessary to protect this sovereign civil right.My daughter was discriminated against. Even after Iowa passed the law to protect employees, my daughters employer made all who hasnt recorded the covid vaccine mask and publicly posted their names on a list.My 94 year old grandmother was discriminated against and forced to eat masks in the entry way of her nursing home because of her vaccine status.

02-09-2022

Lisa Arnold []

Please pass HSB 647. The best way to mitigate the sufferings of the average worker in Iowa is to have leadership from the top who will not accept illogical, illegal, burdensome or irrational regulations being passed down to the worker or average citizen from the federal government, CMS or any other entity. I have seen this discrimination, suffering and pain in my own circle and also broadly. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing, said Edmund Burke. You legislators are creating the society of the future, either actively helping mankind, by passing such a bill, or passively tearing apart society, by omission. We will either have a free society or one that promotes untold suffering and bondage. The choice is yours. Thank you for putting the work into formulating this bill. Please have the courage to pass it.

02-09-2022

Violet Ahrenholtz []

Our family was affected by the vaccine mandate. My husband works for the local county. The county was going to require that any unvaccinated employee come by the courthouse every Monday for covid testing to make sure they were safe to work. Unvaccinated employees would also be required to wear masks in indoor spaces. Meanwhile, vaccinated employees were not subject to testing or masking. Research has proven that even if you have the vaccine you can get and transmit the covid virus. Research has also proven that natural immunity has proven superior to vaccine immunity. We have a problem with the discriminatory treatment here. It would become very obvious who was and was not vaccinated. There was no way for the county to properly provide the covid tests without it becoming known what your health information was. This directly violates the privacy of the county employees. There were so many unvaccinated county employees that the county was going to have to try to stagger the testing visits, and even then it was not sufficient. The very fact that these unvaccinated employees had to show up to test at a separate location from their job base, but at the location of their superiors would reveal who was unvaccinated EVERY MONDAY MORNING. Medical choices should be protected by privacy. The way that you treat Covid is your business not the bosses. If you want to treat it with a vaccine fine, if you want to use natural immunity or ivermectin fine. Let's stand up for our great Iowa workforce and not open thier medical privacy to scrutiny and overmine their health choices. Keep Iowa a free state. I have attached a link to a scholarly article citing 81 Research Studies that Confirm Natural Immunity to COVID Equal or Superior to Vaccine Immunity. The fact that a vaccine has been mandated goes against all reason. https://brownstone.org/articles/79researchstudiesaffirmnaturallyacquiredimmunitytocovid19documentedlinkedandquoted/

02-09-2022

Tom vandercleeve []

I work for a very large employer (if not the largest) here in Cedar Rapids. The company is forcing the mandate to all employees. I am forced to test every week and wear a mask. My question and valid concern is why only the unvaccinated are being forced to do so? Why are we being discriminated against? If a company wants to force something, it should be forced across the board AND the company should be liable for ANY repercussions the enforcement causes the employee. That, however, is not the case at this employer. It is well known that the vaccinated are catching the virus and, therefore, spreading the virus. The CDC has said this to be true. So how is it not logical to test/mask EVERYONE if this virus is such a concern. No, instead the company will discriminate all the while the so called virus is spreading throughout the company! It CANNOT be the unvaccinated that are spreading the virus as they are being tested and maskedtoo much logic and common sense , I guess.I am asking, no I am pleading with you to PLEASE pass this bill. Some may think that things are getting better with this virus, companies will start easing on their enforcement and that there is no need to do something any longer. That is wrong on so many counts. First of all, my company has gone on record stating that they will NEVER stop this mandate. The CEO stated we are doing this to protect our employees. Well, that is fine to be concerned about your employees but a vaccine is permanent and it is not like the person can remove the vaccine once they leave the office. Yes, they are a private company but they should not be able to ask for an employees medical history, force a vaccine to work at the company and then discriminate against those that choose not to do so and allow other nonemployees (contractors) into the building who do not need to adhere to these rules. Secondly, this bill will protect us for when there is another virus scareand there will be one. We need to forbid companies from asking about our private personal medical history. We need to forbid them from discriminating against us. We need to hold them accountable for ANYTHING that results from ANYONE who is harmed by forcing a vaccine, forcing the testing and forcing masks!!I could go on and on. The fact of the matter is we are being discriminated against. We are sitting in meetings with masks onmaking it obvious to others that we are not vaccinated. We are made to feel ashamed, we are shunned and treated differently. We have to go to work early to get tested all the while the vaccinated walk right back and smirk. It makes some of us unvaccinated feel like we are doing something wrong when we are just standing up for what we believe in.like there are two classes of people and we are the second class. I can now understand what the Jews felt like....let's not allow this to go on any longer.Thank you.

02-09-2022

Max Peterson []

I am writing in support of HSB 647. I believe medical decisions are a personal matter that should be between a person and their doctor. Requiring certain medical decisions as a prerequisite to fully participate in the workplace is fundamentally a violation of that individual's right to bodily autonomy. I work for a company in Ames that has a COVID19 vaccination mandate in order to come into the office or travel to company events. There are no alternatives, such as showing proof of recovery from prior infection, or providing a negative test result. I have received a COVID vaccine, but I believe my employer has no right to treat me differently than my colleagues who have made different personal decisions about what to put in their body. I have personally seen this policy create divisions in the workplace erode company culture, just like any other forms of discrimination would. Iowa should protect its citizens from this form of workplace discrimination like we do other forms of workplace discrimination, and HSB 647 is a great step in that direction.Thank you for your consideration.

02-09-2022

Caleb Graham []

Im an American Airman serving for my country as we speak. These are my words as an individual and not the words of my command.I was given a choice last year on September, to either receive the vaccine or be dishonorably discharged from the military.Within the month of November, after I took the vaccine fearing that I might fail, a third option was given to new Airmen who still didnt receive the vaccine.So I ask you, who was really dishonored here? What your companies plan to do is no different, but dishonor the people of this great country. To force people to take something they choose to not take is wrong, even if their livelihood is at a risk. To make the people of this nation become slaves to the leaders of the government isnt a free or great nation anymore. It has become a country under a tyranny that puts on a facade of a free country.As someone who couldnt have the right to serve without the vaccine, please let the people of Iowa have the right to refuse the vaccine and to still work without it.

02-09-2022

Aaron Forest []

I am in support of HSB 647. Vaccination status is currently being used to discriminate against members of our communities. I have had colleagues fired, and I have personally had benefits revoked by my employer which are still available only to employees who provide proof of vaccination. This discrimination needs to stop, and the passage of this bill would be a big step in the right direction.

02-09-2022

Tammy Hartman []

I am in support of HSB 647! I have family members that are being discriminated against due to their religion and their vaccine status. They had to give their private medical information to their employer or be terminated. They had to give their testimony with a pastors note to explain in detail why they they believe the way they do or be terminated. They have to be tested before entering the facility and must wear masks or be terminated. Doing this shows not only their employer of their vaccine status but to their coworkers, as well. Where does it end? Several employees, who are vaccinated, are sick with this virus they are supposed to be protected against. In the meantime, my family members are the ones who are being shunned and forced to prove they are not sick! Where is the logic in this?! We are not against vaccines or masks. If an individual wants to vaccinate and wear a mask, that is their right. We are for freedom. Freedom to choose what we feel is right for ourselves without fear that our vaccination or religious status will be discriminated against. Thank you

02-09-2022

Carrie Wright [Guide Financial Group]

Individual selfdetermination has been a long accepted and understood concept that is codified in the Iowa State Constitution. Article I Bill of Rights, Section I. All men are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness. These rights of persons are threatened by vaccine mandates, vaccine passports, and any intrusion into our personal medical information or medical status, especially when it will cause discrimination.The COVID19 vaccine is ineffective in protecting against COVID19 and does not halt transmission. There are risks inherent in receiving any vaccine, and this is evermore apparent with these new vaccines. There should be no requirements, mandates, questionnaires, directives, etc. that Iowans be coerced or demanded to get this vaccine to be able to live, work, and pursue their safety and happiness. I support the Medical Privacy and Freedom Bill.

02-09-2022

Mark Brown [Self, Parent]

Given that whistleblowers, via U.S. Senator Ron Johnson's session "Covid19, A Second Opinion" and a written statement from a prominent member of the EcoHealth Alliance, it is critically important that Iowa maintain and expand the rights of the constituents of the state to pursue medical choice as we see fit.We need not be doctors nor professionals in the industry to know that a large portion of the pharmaceutical and medical industry has been coopted by interests other than our own, and to our detriment.I would implore the legislative members to read and comprehend what has come forth, under penalty of perjury, in the past 4 weeks. I will attach a portion of the documents for your perusal.Please take me freedoms and those of my fellow Iowans into sincere consideration.Thank you, Mark Brown

Attachment

02-09-2022

Jody McCoy []

I am horrified when reading the comments on this page. All covid mandates need to end immediately. Mask, vaccine, travel etc. When history is written the governments handling of covid is going to be seen as a crime against hummanity. Please pass this bill. HSB 647

02-09-2022

Jonna Kay Darland []

Please protect our freedom and rights to exercise our medical privacy (bill HSB 647). We live in the greatest Country ever established by our Founders and many have fought for us to protect our Constitution & Bill of Rights. You are to represent The People, You are to stand in the gap for us, You must protect us from tyranny and fight for us to live... making our own choices in regards to our own health. If I had cancer no one can force me to take radiation & show proof that I did. We are human we will always have colds/flu among us, many of us know how to take care of our own bodies. What to take in, what to leave out....we don't need a governmental or business "parent" to tell us how to take care of ourselves. It is especially wrong to discriminate, demoralize and demonize those who do not agree with the mandates. What has happened to good old common sense? Good, kind and trusted people are losing their jobs because of nonsense. Please get a grip on reality. We are not Nazi Germany but that is where we are headed if YOU DON'T protect us from this current administration.Please Stand for Freedom for ALL AMERICANS.Respectfully Submitted,

02-09-2022

Tonya Miller []

I completely support passing HSB 647. This Medical Privacy and Freedom Act bill will protect everyday Iowans from overreach that should never occur as it relates to our bodily autonomy and economic ability from global corporations, big federal government, and big pharmacy. The State of Iowa legislators can and must stand up against this egregious overreach to protect Iowans' individual freedoms. Pass this bill!!

02-09-2022

Melanie Froyen []

I am in support of the HSB 647. Thank you for creating this bill. The introduction of COVID shot mandates is wrong and discriminates. Iowans deserve better. Thank you to all legislators that vote in favor of this bill.

02-09-2022

Dale Hartman []

I fully support HSB 647. I work for a large company in Cedar Rapids. They are discriminating against the unvaccinated by requiring them to be tested to enter the facility. The vaccinated do not have to do this. Health agencies from multiple countries around the world are stating that at least half, and in some cases 80%, of the hospitalized covid patients have been fully vaccinated. This holds true for the patients who are losing their lives to the "virus" too. Either all should be tested or no oneeither all should be required to wear a mask or no one. This bill would also protect us from the next fabricated "pandemic." There's so much more that can be said about this entire scam but for now this bill is a step in the right direction. Please pass it.

02-09-2022

Michael Martin [Martin Eye Clinic ]

Please vote YES for HSB 647. As an owner and manager of a primary eye care office we take seriously the HIPPA privacy rules to protect a patients PRIVATE health information. To ask ones vaccination status, for whatever the reason, should make a person feel uncomfortable. Its rude, there is a reason we protect a persons right to keep medical information private. Thank you for your service to the great state of Iowa and for giving me this opportunity to express my opinion.

02-09-2022

Erickson Koch []

My former employer forced me to wear a mask until I left and started my own business so I could be free to not wear one. I was a manager at a building materials store and wrote a letter to corporate asking for an exemption for myself and other employees under my supervision with breathing issues. They mocked my request, called me stupid, and as a result, I left them on good terms to start my own construction company.

02-09-2022

Gerald Leick []

Please pass this bill. I have been harassed for not wearing a mask countless times over the past 2 years by many Iowa businesses. The masks dont work, never did, and they aggravate my COPD condition.

02-09-2022

Heath Long []

Supporting HSB 647Our family and hundreds of families in our community were frankly terrorized by our employers this year, as they demanded to know our vaccination status, and imposed mandates with narrow room for exceptions. Engineers, architects, scientists, nurses otherwise educated and informed individuals were told that their discretion and discernment were no longer sufficient when it came to their health. To keep their rights and dignity, they would have to lose their jobs. They would have to break the law. They would have to sacrifice their comfort and all that they had worked for. To keep their job, they would have to inject an experimental substance into their bodies, against their better judgement. Alternatively, they could grovel before their HR departments, informing them of their most deeply held beliefs, in the hope that someone they did not know would have mercy on them. This year, so many of us drew lines in the sand that we never imagined we would need to draw in America, in Iowa. Some were forced to let that line be crossed, and the damage to those souls will be profound. Some stood vigilantly at the line, because their dignity would not be traded. God bless those souls. Others still took a middle ground, and were forced to divulge information to their employers. Private information that is between an individual their family, and their God.What have we become? What precedent have we set? What inheritance have we left for our young? No one came out of this clean. It was a lose/lose situation. We hoped that the government of Iowa would help us. We begged, marched, demonstrated, resisted, appealed. And now, all we can do is say, never again.

02-09-2022

Brenda K Mohr []

Please also provide the following conditions in The Medical Privacy and Freedom Act: 1)Protection for business owners; in that, no government, business, individual or entity may deny access to rent/lease/grant/own property or contracts based on medical treatment status. Even though employment is protected under this bill as it is currently written, we must also protect individual business owners from potential usurpation of their businesses, and protect heirs from usurpation of their inheritances, due to medical treatment discrimination.Remember how the Nazis seized businesses from Jewish Czechoslovakian business owners and gave them to their nonJewish neighbors? In that manner, the Czechoslovakian Jews were not only denied employment, they also were NOT ALLOWED TO EMPLOY THEMSELVES. We do not want a repeat of that, especially in Iowa, where most businesses are familyheld farms and solelyowned businesses.2)The bill must also include provision to protect contract ownership. A lot of local business is done in the form of futures contracts. We must protect a contract from being taken away from its rightful owner, due to medical discrimination.3)Definitions of The Medical Privacy and Freedom Act, Line 9, must be amended to include, medications, specifically, since medications are not included in the list. The CDC has been changing medical definitions, lately. Therefore, we should include other terminology, such as, injections, since theyve toyed with the definition of vaccine, as of late. I was formerly a licensed physician in a state where the governor recently put in place a mandate requirement for all healthcare providers to take the jab. I can no longer own a business in that state to provide for myself. I cannot return to the state in which I am licensed to work or own my own business. That right has been stolen from me; ripped away from me, against my will. I graduated 27 years agowould YOU be able to take stringent state board exams, after having been out of school for nearly 30 years? (No grandfather clauses exist.)Please make the amendments recommended, above, and secure Iowa for all: the employed, as well as the selfemployed. Thank you.

02-09-2022

Eric Graham []

I am in support for bill HSB647 and any bill that prohibits all organizations, government and individuals from infringing upon my religious, medical or all rights given to me from and through the constitution of America and the state in which I reside. Bill HF902 was a complete failure in protecting those rights. I pray you will vote for this bill, HSB647, to protect your constituents rights as Americans and residents of this great state of Iowa.

02-09-2022

Brenda Mohr []

I had two friends. I say, had, because one died. She died because her employer told her near the end of last year that she had to get the CoVID vax, or she'd be fired. I said, that's illegal. But, we all three knew that no court had yet ruled on the topic, so employers were unrestrained to tread all over our rights without recourse. Both those friends were employed by the same employer, and both got the jab. Both got sick the next day. Both went into the hospital. One was in and out for a couple days, each time. The other went in and never came out alive. She lingered over two months on a respirator, was denied alternative treatment, and died. No family was allowed to visit her; only her fiance. Its a detestable, loathsome tragedy. Even hospital protocols have been shown to be lethal. Our hospitals, even with court injunctions, have further denied safe, effective, alternative treatment. The hospital system has been used to promote genocide. We MUST stand up and enact the medical freedom act. Any sane person would.

02-09-2022

Charles Cole []

If a women can have power over her own body to have an abortion then I should have power over my own body and what I put in it. Its a crying shame that the freedoms and liberties I fought for is being taking away by those that did not fight them. Its easy to give away that which you did not fight for..

02-09-2022

Angie Hahn []

Please support the right to medical privacy for Iowans. Discrimination based on personal medical choice is wrong, and its happening every day all around us at our places of employment. We can see more clearly now then ever in the past two years that medical mandates and databases do nothing to keep the rates of infection down. We are no longer blindly doing the best we can. We have data and research that prove there is no reason to not fight against personal medical choice regarding the current sars virus. Legislature is needed to stop this behavior of the powers that be during this time and provide protection in the future.

02-09-2022

Brenda Mohr []

I was recently denied access to healthcare because I deigned to question the efficacy of the socalled CoVID vaccines, and forgot to wear a cloth mask (which is permeable to viruses, anyway).The clinic at which I was receiving care discriminated against me and refused to give me care, after I retorted, "Now, why would I do a thing like that?" after they asked if I'd gotten the jab, and after removing my mask during intense physical exertion during the course of the physical therapy (after being told by my provider that it was okay to remove my mask if it got too hot). Indeed, sign HSB647. They had NO right to deny me healthcare because I refused to be a guinea pig in a grand and lethal experiment with unproven drugs. It's actually Russian Roulette and death by coercion. STOP IT NOW! Vote for HSB 647.

02-09-2022

Abi Dawn []

I support Bill HSB 647. No man, woman or child should be discriminated against in the workplace because of their medical choices. This bill will protect good people who value their jobs and keep the workforce strong! My daughter was rejected from the nursing program, clinical program because of her status. Religious exemption was denied. She worked so hard and was so excited to begin and when that day came I saw a little part of my child's hope die. Our children's futures are at stake here and I believe this bill is what we need to keep our hard working and motivated kids striving to excell, and will protect the current hardworking Iowans and keep them where the rightfully deserve to be. Providing for their families!!!

02-09-2022

Kyle Olund []

Hello, I respectfully request your support of HSB 647. Never before have employers or business required individuals to disclose their vaccination status or other personal medical information to gain or maintain employment. I see no reason to start now especially since the vaccinated can also transmit COVID19. Allowing this to continue sets a dangerous precedent on what employers can and cannot require in the future. In my view, this is protected medical information, should be treated as such and only be disclosed on a voluntary basis. Thank you.

02-09-2022

Lisa LaMantia [Firefly Aviation]

I support HSB 647. I don't think the government should mandate Covid vaccination. I don't want to require this of my employees. I have several employees that will leave and I don't blame them if this is required. Getting employees is already a hardship as is. I appreciate your consideration.

02-09-2022

Anna Wolvers []

I will be speaking live at this event, but also want my experiences documented in writing. You've most likely seen me at the Capitol, in my freedom scrubs, with censored info, and personal experiences from these tyrannical mandates/illegal measures. I've attended at least 5 different rallies and events and shared my experiences with various legislatures. I've also emailed concerns to many, and they've remained unanswered. I'm in support of having Constitutional Rights remain, and being in charge of my body, my medical info, and freedoms to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness remaining a "pure blood."A little background for clarity. I have 28 allergens, and 4 main medicine allergies. One of those allergens is gluten. MSG is in these inoculations. Another is egg, which is also in them. I was vax injured in 2003 to a flu vax and have remained unvaxxed since then. My mom died of a blood clot to the brain when I was 5. My dad has had 3 major heart operations. These are also side effects of these injections. My biological brother drank the "Kool aid" and even got boosted. All the while straining our relationship and ridiculuing us unvaxxed family members no less than 5 times at Christmas. He got sick and had a bad reaction to the booster. He'll never admit it was from that, even though I've tried warning him. I've also researched and studied Natural Health for over 10 years because of my bodies uniquenesses!! I'm sick and tired of being ridiculed and labeled selfish for not taking an experimental use trial with no data or long term effects. Not to mention, no liability for the manufacturers. And those making it, profit from you being sick, and want to depopulate the world. They also effect my female system after every time I'm around my vaxxed family. These also impact fertility and I want to have children. I've been trying to have kids the past 4 years and have been tracking that on an app. I've been denied access to see my grandparents in their new Assisted Living facility in Grand Living, Cedar Rapids, IA. They require a vaccine passport and masks to visit. You're not allowed in common areas either. But you can take them out in the community (expose them to who knows what, contend with your multiple allergies, and hope grandpa's Parkinson's doesn't create a fall, or grandma's memory doesn't get her lost or disoriented.... This is why we moved them where they are!! And I told my family my concerns about passports before they moved. This is NOT okay. They have chosen to get vaxxed and will wear a mask, so they should be safe. The facility claims this is due to Medicare/Medicaid rules and CMS. I informed them it's Unconstitutional and I've had a religious exemption since 2009! They still stand by their "rules" and so my aunt,uncle,cousin, younger brother, and myself can not see them, or be a part of family holidays there. I've worked 2 and 3 jobs since I was 14. I want to work, and need to work to feel productive and self sufficient. I worked as a special education teacher for 14 years in one district prior to all this. I gave up over 130 unused sick days when I resigned. I've ALWAYS been hired for any job or part time job I've applied for before. I'm now minimally self employed as a daycare, tutor, homeschool teacher, pet sitter, house cleaner (any job I can get and not have to be masked or vaxxed). I was turned down for 11 part time jobs last year!! I was over qualified for all of them (Theisens, Aldi, Kwik Star, TLC Associates, First Congregation Church office work, Kix 101 paper filing, a house cleaning job, REM/Cirsi, Smoking G's Bar B Q hostess). I would consider substitute teaching if they'd not abuse children with masks, plexiglass, and making them stay in one room all day. I have no reason to believe this isn't due to my freedom of speech, and opposition to inoculations. Yet they all cry they can't find quality employees who want to work. So I work 1214 hour days sometimes, and have to apply for assistance now that inflation has tripled utilities and taxes have also increased. This has also impacted former colleague relationships, friendships, and strained family relationships.Churches being closed too, has played a negative part in spiritual and mental/emotional health. The isolation and unemployment made me strongly consider suicide at least 4 times in the last two years. I'm strong in my faith, and stubborn enough to not let the devil win. Plus as a suicide survivor myself, I know the pain it causes others. I've also been denied medical care due to my mask/vax status. I'm supposed to be on high blood pressure medication. They require I be masked (even when healthy) to take a blood test to prove I still need it. In a pandemic, minimally employed, little income to cover the copay, etc. Pretty sure it doesn't just disappear. I need that copay money to cover the medications. So I've gone with out. I've had friends get Covid, request Ivermectin, and be denied and told to go home until they're worse. This is NOT medical care, this is DESCRIMINATION and MEDICAL FRAUD!! I've had 2 unvaxed, young, healthy otherwise friends die with Covid, on vents since New Year's Eve. It disgusts me knowing they're being denied care that could help them, based on their status and pharma greed for money.I've also been denied access and threatened removal from Menards (mask mandates), Marshalltown Goodwill, and Wheatfields in Amesa natural health food store no less. And as one with 28 food allergies, it's a life line of survival. All this being said, Iowa NEEDS medical freedom, a right to deny the ISIS system to include our vax status, and parental informed choice on medical procedures for their kids. This is what we've been asking for the past two years at the multiple freedom rallies. The last bill passed, was a start, but rather weak,and still cost thousands their careers. It was too little, too late!! No Mandates, No Passports!! (And PLEASE INCLUDE our military and medical workers rights!!)

02-09-2022

William Birkland []

I support this bill. In my workplace they have discriminated against unvaccinated people with having to wear mask when vaccinated people dont. you have to be vaccinated to received paid covid time off. If you file for religious exemption they ask what affiliation and all kinds of personal question this kind of discrimination in the workplace needs to stop.

02-09-2022

Kamber Smith [Great River]

Reading the comments in this section have provided me with hope and comfort. I am a nurse working with Covid 19 patients for over the last year. I will lose my job at the end of this month. As others have stated due to this mandate we are regressing back in time. I have been belittled, segregates, and demeaned at the hospital I currently work at. They are requiring al staff to were an orange sticker if they are vaccinated. If you dont have a sticker everyone passing you then knows your choice. I feel like this is so wrong in so many ways. Can we think back to anyone else who was forced to were something on their bodies that separated them from the majority????? I definitely can. I support this bill. It is my body and my choice. I have held so many Covid positive patients hands while they died, while they found out loved ones died, and we medical staff were the only ones that could be there to hold and support them and now that means nothing. I have never had Covid to my knowledge and I work with them everyday. I never thought this day would come where I would be fired for not getting a 0.25ml injection. Please stop this!!

02-09-2022

Jacqueline Beran []

I urge you to please support the Medical Privacy and Freedom Act. I believe that all Americans have the right to privacy and bodily autonomy, especially when it comes to personal medical decisions. If passed, this bill would prevent discrimination of any individual based on their medical treatment status or whether or not they possess an immunity passport. As a parent, Biden's recent overreach of power is frightening. Our son has CHD, and he will need more heart surgeries as he gets older. The possibility of him being discriminated against and denied access to the procedures that he needs because of a personal medical decision is alarming. That is the way this is going if we do not stop it here and now. Healthcare is not a onesizefitsall approach. And where there is risk, there must be choice. Each individual needs to assess for themselves which is greater: the risk of injury/death due to the vaccination, or the risk of serious illness/death from the virus. There have been over 1 million adverse events from the Covid vaccine reported through VAERS as of December 2021, with no one liable to those who have suffered. According to their own data, the CDC director Rochelle Walensky admitted that fully vaccinated individuals who get a "breakthrough" infection can spread the virus to others even if they are not symptomatic when she said, "What (our vaccines) can't do anymore is prevent transmission." Well, if it doesn't prevent transmission, why are we still playing this game??Please stand up for everyday Iowans and help in the fight to secure our freedoms for the next generation as well. Thank you.

02-09-2022

Kevin Hendress []

I am in support of HSB 647 my medical choices should not be an issue at work and/or where I eat/shop/etc. For a while at my place of employment if you did not get the shot you were required to wear a mask all others were not. If you did not follow this policy you could be terminated. Policies like this clearly violate a persons privacy for their health choices. Not matter your place of employment your health choices should be personal and private and NOT associated with your employment status.

02-09-2022

Leslie Beck [The Iowa 1791 Project]

I support HSB647. I do not support any amendment that would exclude any Iowans from protection. Liberty belongs to every Iowan. It should not depend on who you work for. Freedom to conduct business does not extend beyond an individual's bodily autonomy or privacy rights.Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.

02-09-2022

Lori Wiese []

Simply put: I'm in support of this bill because it protects the freedom of individual Iowans. "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain" is the motto of the people of Iowa, and passing this bill will safeguard those liberties and rights for future generations. There should be no amendments limiting individual freedom, and language covering which medical interventions cannot be required should be broad to ensure that future changes in definition (as in the change of definition for vaccine recently) won't nullify the law.

02-09-2022

Kimberly Stevens []

Please vote yes for HSB 647!!! As a person who has had reactions to vaccines in the past and have children who have had reactions, it is vital that we preserve our right to accept or deny any medical intervention including but not limited to vaccines. No one should be able to discriminate against another individual based on their vaccination status. Please vote yes on HSB 647! Thank you

02-09-2022

Robin Pospisil []

I am in support of HSB 647. Our freedoms are slowly being removed. No Iowan should be required to choose between their religious beliefs and their livelihood. In addition, mandating an experimental pharmaceutical is illegal. I encourage our law makers to protect Iowans.

02-09-2022

Sara Ferneding []

I am in full support of this bill. I have watched our country, our states, our counties, communities, friends & family members become more divided than ever before. All over the topic of the vaccine & mask mandates. The sheer discrimination between vaccinated & non vaccinated people. The constant judgment when you see someone in a mask or not in a mask. Its horrifying, disgusting & a very dangerous path to be going down. This bill puts a stop to that in a significant way. No one will be judged on their medical/ vaccination status because it will no longer be allowed to be used as a public humiliation leverage tool. No one will be lawfully refused services due to medical status because medical status will remain, as it should be, Private!There are numerous other reason I support this bill such as bodily autonomy, individual liberty & freedoms, the right for medical decisions to be kept between a patient & their doctor, Informed Consent! And so many other reasons countless others have mentioned. Companies, employers, politicians, bureaucrats, medical providers etc have no right to force medical procedures on anyone. Their rights should never trump the personal rights or freedoms of an individual. Ever!Vaccines never have been & never will be a one size fits all. There will always be a risk & where there is risk there MUST be a choice without consequences of loss of freedom.Please stop the horrific division & hate these mandates are creating among our people and put a stop to them. Please vote YES for HSB 647.

02-09-2022

Sara Ferneding []

02-09-2022

Sara Ferneding []

02-09-2022

Heather Stancil [County Supervisor]

I support HSB647. There should be no amendment that would exclude any Iowan from enjoying the same rights to freedom and individual bodily autonomy. It should not be conditioned based on your employer. Freedom to conduct business does not extend to control over the personal medical freedom of the individual employee or their privacy.

02-09-2022

Jeremy R []

The company I work for doesnt require vaccination, but when the get vaxxed or test bill was trying to pass my company tried to get everyone that works there their vaccination status and if you refused to sign it and send it to HR you would be considered not vaxxed and have to wear a mask while at work and also get charged an extra $51 a month for health insurance. I feel like making the ones that refused to sign a sheet about vax status wear mask is discriminatory and charging extra for insurance because people arent vaxxed because unvaxxed medical bills are higher I dont think this is illegal, especially since vaccinated people get it and are hospitalized also, but maybe?? Its a privately owned company, so maybe this plays a factor, just wanting some answers will this bill help with this?

02-09-2022

Jodee Murcia []

I needed an eye exam, I was refused service to gets my eyes checked for a possible infection. This took place at Eye Surgeons Associates in Bettendorf, Iowa. I had to ask to speak to supervisor and she didnt not care one bit. I asked if she refusing me medical care and she said yes. I had informed her that I would report a freedoms violation and she said go right ahead. Which I did submit previously. This must end. End medical tyranny. Thank yiu

02-09-2022

Jana Laverman []

I am in support of HSB 647. As a medical professional with 20 years of experience, HIPPA training was raging at the beginning of my career. Privacy of medical information was never questioned since then. Until COVID. My unvaccinated coworkers and I would all line up for the "walk of shame" to get covid tested at the regulated frequency. Division and discourse was palpable. Healthcare has had enough strain the past two years without the debate of covid vaccination status. Add the vaccination component, and it just adds to the already strained system. Regardless of vaccination efficacy, vaccines affect everyone differently, just as the virus affects everyone differently. I know people who have died from covid, and who have died from the vaccine. The decision to vaccinate, and the knowledge thereof, should remain private information between the client and their phsyician. It is not something the the goverment, employers or anyone else should have a say on.

02-09-2022

Matthew Kuhn []

I am writing in favor of HSB 647. My privacy rights were already violated at my place of work as my employer was implementing COVID mandates until the Supreme Court put a stay on the OSHA policy. That stay does not undue the infringement upon my rights. Additionally, this is only a temporary reprieve and no guarantee that it won't happen again. My wife still faces discrimination and termination from her place of employment. Two of my sisters and two of my brotherinlaws have also faced coercion, discrimination and violation of their rights due to medical tyranny from employers. The purpose of our State government is to protect our rights. Allowing violations of our privacy rights, discrimination based upon our religious beliefs and medical decisions used to be unthinkable, put an end to this without further delay.

02-09-2022

Dana Halvorson []

Please support this much needed medical freedom legislation, and bring a swift end to the rampant discrimination taking place in our great state! I have had many friends contact me for support in dealing with their unjustified workplace demands during the past several months. Nobody has any business interfering with personal medical decisions that should be made by individuals, with advice from their preferred and trusted medical professionals. Submitting to an unwanted medical procedure such as a vaccine should never be a requirement for a person to be able to keep and perform their job, even in the health care field.

02-09-2022

Kari Griffith [One Vision]

I have worked at my organization for years and since the Biden mandate, my work has made one of their own in anticipation of the CMS mandate going through. Today I had to go in and get tested due to not being vaccinated. I have an exemption, but since I'm not vaccinated I now have to test weekly. While I was there, someone else walked in to get tested as well so they knew my vaccinated status and I knew theirs since we were both getting tested and only individuals that have an exemption or are not fully vaccinated have to get tested. My organization is also asking everyone to email them a copy of their vaccination card and for all new employees to get vaccinated. Please vote yes for this bill.

02-09-2022

Barb Kennedy []

As a student nurse many years ago, one of the first subjects taughtwas medical ethics with a huge emphasis on the patient's right to privacy. That right is in question now with the HIPPA exemption of vaccine information. The reasons an individual wishes to avoid vaccination are no one else's business. PRIVATE issues, such as fertility treatment,a new pregnancy,previous miscarriages, or a serious medical diagnosis should not have to be publicallyexposed. In addition let there be no doubt that the intensescrutiny of faith based objections to vaccination is an attack on religious freedom HSB 647 is VITAL!!

02-09-2022

Ann Tebbs []

I want to add my voice in support of HSB 647. As a hospital employee, we have been repeatedly pressured for months to get the COVID vaccine. Those who did get it are made to wear a sticker on their name badge showing their vaccination status. This seems like a form of discrimination as well as a loss of medical privacy. I've decided I would not benefit from this vaccine and have chosen not to get it. For this decision, I've been placed on paid leave of absence with loss of my job at the end of the month. This is discrimination, pure and simple. There are many Iowans who are being negatively affected by these unnecessary and unethical workplace mandates. Passing this bill would be a good step in the right direction in correcting this. Thank you.

02-09-2022

Anonymous Anonymous []

My company is threatening to charge employees who are unvaccinated an additional $1200 per year for their health insurance. The company states that you need to go through and certify your vaccination status, but then turns around and tells you that they are not requiring vaccines. I asked for an religious exemption and now the company is questioning my exemption. If you are a new employee you have to be vaccinated as well, they state that they respect your choice though.

02-09-2022

Deb Schult []

Iowa needs the Medical Privacy and Freedom act. Citizens of our great state know that our motto is our liberties we prize in our rights we will maintain.Individual rights have been ignored in the past two years. Medical privacy is nonexistent. Employers can demand specific experimental medical procedures under threat of termination for non compliance. This is tyrannical and we need legislation to protect individual rights. Begging for an exemption to be granted is not how free citizens live. Unelected bureaucrats must also be stripped of their power to dictate distribution of taxpayer funds. Vaccination status is private personal information and certainly should no longer be allowed as a tool to divide our nation and bully our healthcare workers.

02-09-2022

Jodee Murcia []

Although Iowa has a supposed no vaccine passport law, several music venues in Iowa are requiring this to attend a show. Last summer CodfishHollow Barnstormers demanded people show vax passports to go to a show. Also Racoon Motel in Davenport. There are several others. Its not anyone businesses to know my health information, especially a music venue. What is the point in having this ban if they are allowed to get away with it?! This medical tyranny must end. Legislators must stop following the money and follow truth and justice. Our government and country has been taken over by a drug cartel for far to long, its destroying lives on so many levels. Big Pharma controls everything including how doctors practice medicine. Its high time you all see this for what it is. You truly work for us, why are we pleading for freedoms many already fought for?! We are fed up. Honor our freedoms and the people you work for, the citizens of Iowa.

02-09-2022

Nathaniel Stevens []

Vote yes for HSB647. Individual autonomy is understood to refer to the capacity to be one's own person, to live one's life according to reasons and motives that are taken as one's own and not the product of manipulative or distorting external forces, to be in this way independent. To lose individual autonomy is to become a slave to whomever is dictating what can be done with your body. To become a slave by the very government that is founded on freedom is an insult to the American people. We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. No individual, group, business, or government has the ability to strip a person of these rights for good of the others. Again, vote for American Freedom and vote yes for HSB647.

02-09-2022

Holly Duffield []

Please Vote YES for medical privacy and freedom! The organization I work for has implemented a vaccine mandate and although they allowed exemptions, anyone that is not vaccinated must be tested weekly (starting today), so as to keep the employees and clients safe. This is a ridiculous reason as even people that are fully vaccinated can contract and transmit the virus. Making only a certain group of people be subject to weekly testing based on a vaccine status is discrimination.

02-09-2022

Sarah B. []

Please vote yes for HSB 647. No one should be discriminated against based on their vaccination status or forced to reveal personal medical information to other people or businesses. This goes against out constitutional right to secure our liberties.

02-09-2022

Lindsie Anderson []

I am emailing in support of HSB 647 , I believe no employer should have a say on what you injected into your body. Our personal story is a local company in Iowa, my son chose not to get the covid vaccine. They forced him to test everyday, letting the vaccinated go into the job site without testing. This is discrimination and Iowans shouldnt stand for it. Vaccinated individuals also can still get covid and spread covid, so testing only unvaccinated individuals makes no sense.

02-09-2022

Kerry Crouch []

I am in support of HSB 647. My religious exemption at my work was accepted. However, in order for my request to even be considered, I, along with hundreds of others at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, was required to answer questions about faith and personal medical choices that are classified as discriminatory in any other setting. That means those questions are illegal. We are now required to sign a form stating we understand the new segregation policy established specifically for unvaccinated employees. The signature line specifically states "unvaccinated" So, thank you for your time and consideration into this new bill.

02-09-2022

Brittany Mack []

I am reaching out because my family has been affected by the Covid vaccination mandates. I personally have vaccine allergies. My daughter has been told by an allergist that the only safe way for her to be vaccinated would be in an allergist's office over multiple hours, with multiple pokes and with epinephrine ready. My other daughter had an allergic reaction to the H1N1 vaccine which was also under EUA. I am not comfortable choosing a vaccine that has not been studied for the normal length of time and under normal circumstances because of our medical histories. I and my youngest daughter are both at high risk of autoimmune disease but have so far been lucky there. mRNA vaccines that have been trialed in the past have not made it to market because of the high risk of autoimmune disease. We live our lives carrying EpiPens everywhere we go and having to be careful with what we come into contact with or eat. Once I spoke to the allergist and did my own research, I chose to avoid this vaccine until more research was done. Unfortunately, my employer (one of the Medicaid MCO's) has mandated the vaccine and many schools across the country have as well. I work from home. Luckily, the Iowa Legislature passed a bill that allowed my company to give a temporary exemption until June 2022 but that may go away at that time. We have high food costs due to having to purchase organic, unprocessed foods, with very little grains, and due to the cost of inflation in the country. I don't know how I will be able to feed my daughter safely without my job. I also have a religious issue with this vaccine because I am a practicing Catholic and they were all created or tested using aborted fetal cells. This has been eyeopening for me in regards to the use of aborted fetal cells in the pharmaceutical industry. My child also struggles with masks. She breaks out into hives from disposable masks. She gets migraines and asthma attacks from cloth masks. We had to make the decision to keep our children out of school for 10 days due to a positive Covid test recently because she can not safely wear a mask. Fortunately, she was only sick for two days. I had mild symptoms for two days and my other daughter and husband were asymptomatic.Please vote in support of medical freedom within the state of Iowa. This should not be a one size fits all approach. Covid has been terrible for the state and country, however, sometimes the risks and benefits need to be weighed. We have lost loved ones to Covid so we fully understand the risks. We have also had Covid in our home and should have good immunity.

02-09-2022

Gregg Pospisil []

I am writing in support of HSB 647. I never dreamed that Id see the day when something such as this so called vaccine would pit family against family, coworker against coworker, friend against friend. This notion of a mandate must stop now, and I ask each of you to do the right thing and vote for bill.

02-09-2022

Allison Trine []

Please support this bill. Iowa needs medical freedom. As a oneincome family, we depend on my husband's job at a large corporation in Ames to provide for our young family of 4. When Biden's vaccine mandate first came out, his employer announced they were going to follow the "law" and proceed with that. He would have been forced to continue wearing a mask and forced testing. We are currently under the impression the employer has retracted, but that is still a cause for concern and should not be left as an option. We, as Iowans, are capable of choosing our own medical care, including vaccinations, and our livelihoods and existence should not be discriminated against. Our medical information should always be private.

02-09-2022

Sara G []

I ask for your support of HSB 647 to keep medical information private and allow Iowans to make their own medical choices. There should be no discrimination from employers based on personal health decisions.

02-09-2022

Kim Rasler []

As a citizen of Iowa, I implore you to vote yes for HSB 647, the Medical Privacy and Freedom Act, as written. It is a comprehensive bill that will ensure the necessary medical choices that should be between an individual and their medical provider. These past two years have been unprecedented in the hardships placed on Iowans and our nation. Every day has been filled with seeking truth and data because we all know in our soul something isnt and hasnt been right. Just this past year in my small sphere, * I have had friends cry out asking for help because the hospital wouldnt treat their loved ones with the known lifesaving protocol their physician was prescribing, which included Ivermectin. * A young healthy coworker died while hospitalized with covid, why? * My cousins employer required the covid injections for them to keep their jobs. She was severely ill after the first shot and felt she had no recourse because her doctor wouldnt sign an exemption and she needed her job and the insurance it provided, especially with her being ill. * A nurse friend was coerced by her employer stating to keep her job she needed to get the injection and, even months later, she lives with looming dread watching for signs of known adverse reactions. * Ive had friends and family reach out for guidance on how to write exemptions because their employers, private and governmental, were requiring the injections. * My Godparents (my dear aunt and uncle) got the covid injections and within a week my uncle was hospitalized and shortly thereafter died. About a month later, my aunt, his grieving wife of 60+ years, was diagnosed with cancer, which shes never had before (there is data noting the exacerbation of cancer growth after the injection). *My sweet 87yearold mother, who worked in the hospital system for over 40 years, has felt great pressure to get the injection. She has been able to resist, for two reasons, she is overall healthy but has a history of blood clots, and she understands what goes on in hospitals. However, I fear for her if there is an injection requirement tied to her social security or if she needs to go into a senior care facility. * The treatment of children has been and is reprehensible and abusive for an illness with over a 99% natural recovery rate, not only for them but the majority of the population. * These examples dont even include mask related events and discriminations. * None of these situations should be happening. * Again, this is just my small sphere over the past year. Now multiply that by the approximate 3.2 million Iowans the majority of us have experienced similar situations. Please stop the madness and vote yes for HSB 647, the Medical Privacy and Freedom Act, as written.

02-09-2022

Cassidy Kuhn []

I'm writing in support of HSB 647. I'm a working mother, and the main breadwinner of our household, and I risk termination at my place of employment due to these mandates. NO ONE should have to gamble with their longterm health (because these vaccines have no long term safety data), and providing for their family. No WOMAN should have to risk her fertility and ability to have and expand her family (because there's questionable data and many Doctors concerned about the vaccine's effect on fertility and pregnancies) in order to keep a job and help to provide for her family. All of that aside, no person should EVER be required, coerced, or mandated to receive medical treatment against their will... experimental or not (though especially not under emergency use authorization and experimental!). I personally know individuals who left my place of employment before they were terminated for not wanting to receive the vaccine, and individuals who have been terminated due to these mandates and the business policies associated with them. Religious and medical exemptions were offered at one point, but the individuals were faced with submitting an exemption to a corporate "panel" with hired "experts" to review. No one should be discriminated against due to their religious beliefs, or due to their choice of medical treatments. No person should have to divulge personal medical information to an employer.I'm so grateful that Iowa is a LEADER in this fight, and has drafted HSB 647 The Medical Privacy and Freedom Act. Approve & pass this bill, and be the example that other states need to be a safe harbor for protecting American's rights as acknowledged in our Constitution! This what your job is as our representatives to represent us and our interests, your constituents. Government's purpose is to protect the people's rights take your job seriously, and do it well. Pass this bill without watering it down, and without any further delay!Thank you.

02-09-2022

Amy Gyldenvand []

I support HSB 647 and hope you will too! Its 2022 and I never dreamed we would be fighting for medical privacy and freedom. Liberty, freedom, and medical choice belong to EVERY IOWAN. Our state governments job is to protect our rights. Our governor is ending the remaining COVID emergency orders and declares its time to treat the virus like the flu. This is great news and supporting Iowans medical freedoms is the cure to this tyranny that has gone on long enough! It would also provide freedom and protection for the future. Where there is riskthere must be choice. https://www.informedchoiceaustralia.com/post/1000peerreviewedstudiesquestioningcovid19vaccinesafety

02-09-2022

Tana Koch []

I fully support HSB647 and urge all legislators to vote YES on this important bill. What piece of legislation in our state has ever been this vital for the future of freedom? We now live in a medical dictatorship and this bill would be a step toward remedying that sad fact. I (and members of my family) have been discriminated against, denied health care, threatened with arrest, harassed, and even chased through a hospital (Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs), all for not wearing a mask or pulling a mask down under the nose to breathe. During summer 2020, I entered a hair salon in Council Bluffs, and was told I must "fill out a medical form" in order to get a haircut. The form asked about any recent illness, fever, covid tests etc...At a hair salon! I asked where the forms came from and the staff member said the IA Dept of Public Health. IA Dept of Public Health overrules HIPAA?? In the fall of 2020, I had a cardiology appt at Mercy Hospital and was unable to keep my nose covered at all times by a mask, due to having a panic attack. The nurse was cruel and would not allow me to take a breath. She stood over me saying, "Cover your nose or you're going to have to leave." My blood pressure went very high. The doctor finally came in and spent maybe a couple minutes in the room. I ended up leaving and have not been back to that doctor. I can't refill my prescription without being seen again. Summer 2021, I went back to Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs, with our teenage son for a postoperative exam. When we entered the hospital, we were rudely told to "sterilize yourselves" using a large pumper of hand sanitizer. We said, "No" and were yelled at. We both have medical exemptions for wearing a mask, but were told by hospital staff, "There is no such thing as an exemption to the mask." That day, we were chased by security and later escorted out a back stairway into the alley. It was surreal and traumatizing; it felt more like Nazi Germany than Council Bluffs, Iowa. I have been chased out of Menard's and yelled at by a male manager who rammed a cart at me for not wearing a mask. One of our sons was forced to mask as a condition of employment at Fareway Grocery, and soon after having to wear a cheap paper mask for a few weeks (easier to breathe thru), he began to have breathing problems and a deep cough, which he still has to this day. His doctor said it could be an infection due to breathing in small particles from the cheap Chinese masks. We and many people we know dread having to enter a health care facility. Aside from a few very rare exceptions, hospitals and clinics now care only if your nose is covered by a mask, and follow a onesizefitsall covid protocol based on late treatment (with often deadly Remdesivir) rather than early treatment (with often lifesaving Ivermectin). It is a sad day in America when lives are lost due to deadly protocols used because of financial incentive, and sick people are denied effective early treatment, because if they get better quickly, there is no rationale for the experimental covid injections. We know of several people who have been injured by covid injections, and where there is risk, there must be choice. A niece in her 30s ended up with blood clots and had to have a blood transfusion after receiving a covid injection. A cousin of our close friend became extremely ill after one covid injection, was hospitalized, and developed Lupus. Many employers in Iowa still require these dangerous injections as a condition of employment. We were told by a young Hyvee employee that they have to "show a vaccine card" or wear a mask at every shift. Please help stop the insanity by passing HSB647. Let's free Iowans from forced "vaccinations", forced masking, and forced testing.

02-09-2022

James Koch []

We need HSB647 to put an end to the Medical Dictatorship of forced masking, forced testing and forced injections.Last year I came down with SARSCoV2. Having studied the symptoms and early treatment options available, my wife decided to contact a doctor friend of ours in another state to determine a plan of care for me. Unfortunately, despite exceptional coverage from my employers health plan, it was necessary to pay for the $400 consultation outofpocket since earlytreatment protocols for SARSCoV2 were not covered. When the prescription for Ivermectin was called in, the pharmacist said they would not fill it. Instead, they offered for me to come right down and they would give me the shot. I am a father of 8 children and know from experience you shouldnt vaccinate a child who is sick. Yet, that is exactly what this pharmacist was offering to do to me.My doctors nurse called around and finally found a pharmacy who would fill the Ivermectin prescription; however, insurance would not cover it. So instead of a $10 copay for a widely available, cheap drug thats been safely used for decades, I had to pay $250+ for a fourday supply. I cannot complain since I was fortunate enough to obtain it, especially when the Iowa Boards of Medicine and Pharmacy are doing everything in their power to outlaw doctors from trying to save lives with earlytreatment protocols that include prescribing Ivermectin. They have even gone so far as to using the governors letterhead to scare doctors into revealing the names and birthdates of those they have treated with Ivermectin. This is a direct violation of privacy guaranteed under HIPAA.Even though it may seem as though the tide is beginning to turn while states begin rollingback their draconian covid restrictions and mandates as Joe Bidens Winter of Severe Illness and Death comes to an end, we need the protection provided by HSB647 The Medical Privacy & Freedom Act more than ever before the next virus is released upon us.

02-09-2022

Linda Rowland []

I support HSB 647. I do NOT support any "vaccine", let alone an unproven "shot" that has caused so much injury, and you have to dig to find this information that has been purposefully hidden from the public. How about Iowa becomes a leader in exposing the TRUE FACTS, and let the people make their own health decisions. Especially when there are available cures out there that have been suppressed.

02-09-2022

Tiffany Flammang []

Please support and HSB 647. I work in rural NW Iowa providing therapy services to area nursing homes and the area hospital. My religious exemption has been accepted for now in all 4 facilities I provide services to; however, that can change depending the outcome of this bill. My Dr. to this day believes I do not need the vaccine because I have natural immunity that will protect me against severe hospitalization and death. 2 facilities I provide services to does not recognize natural immunity and will not accept this as a medical exemption. One of my contracted facilities does not allow a religious exemption for the influenza vaccine, and I was told in 2020 if I refused the flu vaccine I no longer had a job. This facility now wants a list of current medications and past medical history. I believe this is not any of their business. A simple statement from my Dr saying I am fit to work should be enough. At the nursing home, all staff has to wear 2 masks and goggles. I continue to be tested 2x/wk since I am unvaccinated. At the hospital, I have to have a "Plan of Correction" since I remain unvaccinated. We have been told we will "look different." I will have to wear a N95 vs surgical mask. This makes no sense this far into the pandemic. I have to isolate when I eat. Vaccinated staff do not have to wear masks in their work space, but unvaccinated do. If I have been exposed to COVID without PPE, I can not work for 10 days. Vaccinated staff can remain at work and still not wear masks at their workspace. Please stand up for Medical Freedom for all.

02-10-2022

Tiffany Flammang []

I would also like to include that the questions on the religious exemptions were very intrusive. We should not have to justify our beliefs. I have been asked: 1. How long have I had my religious beliefs? 2. What religious principles guided my objection? 3. If I oppose all vaccinations or only COVID 19 vaccination? 4. How does complying with the vaccine requirement conflict with my religious belief?5. Asking for supporting documentation from religious organization.All contracts/employers threatened termination/voluntary resignation if compliance was not met. My employer believes in our right to choose whether or not I am vaccinated, but the resistance was met with all the contracted companies.

02-10-2022

Stephanie Sherman []

Please support and pass HSB647. We need to have our medical freedoms protected. My family in the military & healthcare industry should not have to decide between supporting their family or receiving a shot with severe side effects.

02-10-2022

Lizzy L []

Please support Iowans medical privacy and freedom. I work in healthcare and have personally been discriminated against for my medical status and I have witnessed patients being discriminated against as well. For almost the entirety of the pandemic those who declined the covid 19 shot and those who got it were treated the same. We all answered the same screening questions when coming on shift, did our temperature check, we all washed our hands and we all followed the same checklist for when to move to a higher level of PPE based on our patients symptoms. When Joe Biden came out calling for mandates everyone jumped to tow the line and overnight healthcare workers went from heroes everyone trusted to not being competent to make their own medical choices. Then when Iowa exemptions had to be accepted (even though they still aren't always) we saw segregation based on medical status. "Reasonable" accommodations don't seem to exist. From having to beg for your right to your own body autonomy and justify your medical and religious choices to invasive testing and wearing full aerosol PPE when for 18months none of that was needed, these accomodations are not reasonable they are punitive and discriminatory.I'm going to share some of my experience from my job that I have been committed to for the last 10yrs. Even before my employer started singling out the workers who declined the covid shots I was asked if I had had it in a casual conversation. When I declined to answer stating that we should not be normalizing sharing private health information I was then immediately asked about the vaccination status of my children. These next two are based on my mask I had to wear that announced my medical status. I had a coworker confront me about being unvaccinated and tell me that I was going to kill my young child. This was an especially hard conversation because I was vaccine injured while pregnant with one of my children and it was the dtap vaccine that almost killed them. Another time I was confronted about my medical status by a coworker because they just couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't want this shot. Apparently she thought I needed to hear her thoughts on my medical choices. I've sat by listening to my co worker wish death on someone who hasn't taken the covid 19 shot because that will teach them. This last one is literally why protecting Iowans medical privacy is so important. This treatment is common in many job settings across Iowa right now and it is unacceptable.

02-10-2022

Brenda Mohr []

The CDC recently ADMITTED that the CoVID tests are inaccurate and unreliable, and walked back its requirement for CoVID testing. So do NOT make any allowance for testing as part of compliance. Those tests are NOT accurate and should NOT be required to be considered in compliance. Thank you.

02-10-2022

Tessa Q []

billMy name is Tessa and I have been a CNA since 2013. This bill is important to me because the discrimination that I and some of my coworkers have faced due to mandates has impacted my life on almost a daily basis. I worked at two hospitals with covid patients frontline since day one (one almost 4 years one almost 2). I have never gotten covid and continue to work with these patients to this day. From the beginning of the pandemic we had constantly changing rules and total disarray. We were made to work extra hours and wear the same mask and place it in a paper bag over and over again till it literally fell apart. Mine had green mold growing around the edges and when I asked for a new one was told I can send to central sterile and they will clean it and return it only if the straps were broken was I able to get a new one. We were constantly on a PPE shortage. We were constantly exposed to covid and got multiple calls a week saying we were exposed and to monitor our temperature. When the vaccine first arrived to the healthcare scene everyone was so proud and jumping in line to roll up their sleeves to get back to normal. Many coworkers rushed to get it and I was always a skeptic. Then I started to see and hear about the reactions in our coworkers (ones throat swelled n welts from neck down, 2 nurses went into renal failure, a tech had seizures in our parking lot no prior history, coworkers describing pain from jaw to their arm and feeling paralyzedetc) there was so many more but I was not willing to take that chance. I felt that by working and being exposed to these patients it helped with my natural immunity all this time I was ok as is. In the summer our companies started rolling out the mandates. The job I had been at over 4 years required a medical or religious exemption. You had to write a statement and then go meet with upper management to plead your case and then they took it to the board for approval. Medical you had to have your doctors sign off on it. My friend applied for medical exemption and 3 of her drs wrote her a statement. It was sent back as rejected because they did not put their signature to it and later found out from multiple people that drs would not put their signature to it for fear of investigation. She was sent to her vaccine appointment with 3 epi pens and her vitals monitored. She received both vaccines had reactions and actually just got better from having covid. If you did not get your vaccine by a certain date you had to wear a face shield or goggles. It singled you out from all of the coworkers and people knew you were unvaccinated and made comments to or about you. One of my friends worked in the cafeteria and people would avoid her line or say mean things to her about it. She ended up quitting due to bullying but then changed her mind came back and got the shots feeling out of options. Drs and nurses would talk bad about the unvaccinated patients and workers and make fun of them or down talk them mostly behind their backs but at times to their face many of these conversations I heard in passing. Then we started getting fully vaccinated patients symptomatic with covid just as sick as the patients in the early days. Two of my patients on my floor fully vaccinated vitals tanked went down to ICU and died one in less than 24 hours. Something didnt seem to be adding up with this 100% efficacy of the vaccine. Most nurses said it was preexisting conditions could not accept any vaccine failure. I decided to let this company fire me after almost 4 years as I did not feel I should have to beg for any job especially after all the covid work Id done. I decided to submit an exemption to the second job I have been at almost 2 years. I wrote a statement and was approved. If I was not I was prepared to leave the healthcare world behind and look for any job where I was not forced to do something that I do not feel is right. After talking to different people, I saw many nurses and workers chose to leave behind healthcare all together. Many of them were bullied or harassed so bad by workers bosses or patients that they felt uncomfortable and defeated with the mandates. At this time we are constantly short in all healthcare settings and unfortunately the few left are burning out slowly but surely. As week by week goes by I continue to see more and more vaccinated (boosters included) just as sick or dying. I can tell you I have taken many of them to the morgue. All of my vaccinated personal friends, family, and former coworkers have been sick with covid. Recently over 200 staff out at both placesour whole unit of coworkers got covid (most even had their boosters) the ONLY two people not infected were me and the only other unvaccinated coworker on the unit. I personally have a thick skin but through this all have been called names, accused of killing people or being selfish or I shouldnt be in healthcare by many peers so I can only imagine for people who are more sensitive. If this vaccine is not working as intended from what I have seen why does it matter if I have had it or not and why are people loosing their livelihood over it? Why is my medical private information the business of any job or others? No one should be forced to lose out on work due to their personal beliefs or choices. That is why this bill is important to me as it should be to anyone. Once people vacate these jobs they will not be refilled. Those who actually want to work should not be punished for having a differing opinion. I ask that our medical freedom stays intact as well as the right to choose.

02-10-2022

Chris Kabat []

We strongly believe the right for an individual or parent to decline a vaccination or any other medical treatment for themselves or their children as an inalienable right. We oppose medical treatment requirements and mandates and believe medical decisions should remain private between an individual and their doctor.

02-10-2022

Adam Nichols []

I support HSB647, without amendment. It would allow Iowans to keep their medical information a matter between a doctor and a patient, instead of an employee and an employer.My employer has made weekly COVID testing a condition of my further employment, and views weekly testing as the alternative to COVID vaccination. Further, all employees who do not vaccinate for COVID must wear a mask at all times while working, unless eating or drinking, but employees who vaccinate may work without masking. Lastly, employees who do not vaccinate for COVID may not travel for business purposes, even if business travel was a part of the employee's job before COVID.Please, advance this bill!

02-10-2022

Danielle Green []

I'm writing in support of HSB 647. Covid vaccine mandates affected both my husband's job and mine. I worked in a hospital where to be approved for a religious exemption we had to provide a lengthy statement about our beliefs and then also meet with HR to review them. It created such stress I ultimately left the job because it was Unclear how exemptions would be approved and the stress of submitting the proof was overwhelming. My husband went though a similar experience. He has been working from home since the pandemic began. Over the summer of 2021 his employer stated that they would require the vaccine and if you didn't get it you weren't allowed to go into the office. He made the decision to continue to work from home. They then required you received the vaccine or an exemption. He applied for an exemption and was asked to provide a letter from a clergy member in support of that. He submitted the letter and we didn't hear anything until months later when his supervisor stated all exemptions would be denied no matter what he submitted. We continued to wait and in December the company changed the policy again that all work from home employees had to be vaccinated. Within the email that was sent out it mentioned exemptions. He reached out to HR for a status update and they didn't respond, but his supervisor told him again HR was not going to approve any exemptions. Due to this he sought employment elsewhere. We learned had he not left he would have been fired yesterday. The mandates created so much stress for our family and due to lack of protection it allowed both of our employers to use our beliefs against us. Please pass this bill so other Iowans don't go through this as well!

02-10-2022

BJ McLaughlin []

I support this bill. Why would we use a manufactured crisis to steal our freedoms and medical privacy away from us. And yes back in July on the CDC (the gold standard) website they admitted that their testing (PCR) was inaccurate and yet we continue to use this as our measurement and guide our policies. I lost my husband because of criminal medical policy and mandate, lazy politics and I am in the process of organizing other Iowans who too have lost their loved ones because of criminal medical policy! FEAR is the most contagious virus!

02-10-2022

Corey Huet []

I support HSB 647 and encourage all legislators to support it as well. I want to be allowed to do what is best for my health and my families health, without being discriminated against. My medical information should be for me to decide what to do with it, not for my company or others.

02-10-2022

Katie Fyfe []

I support HSB 647 and encourage all legislators to support the bill as well. I know what is best for my family and would like to make those decisions with my husband and those we trust for their healthcare. These matters should be private and a personal choice with no company or government role telling us otherwise.

02-10-2022

Melissa Peterson []

Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Our freedoms have taken many beatings these past two years in the name of safety. My daughter lost her career due to her private medical decision and had to start over. I almost lost my career over this same issue. We need to restore our God given freedoms,YES I support HSB 647!!

02-10-2022

Jillissa Moorman []

Dear Members of the Committee,I am writing to you as a constituent of Linn county, a mom of 4 (1 son with Type 1 Diabetes), wife of an engineer, and the Chair and Professor of a college major, and I am asking you to please pass and move forward HSB 647 a bill relating to medical privacy and freedom. I am a relatively educated individual and Im known as one of the best Professors in the country in my field. I have been given offers to leave Iowa to teach at some very high caliber colleges, and I have turned them down and stayed in Iowa because it is home and I have a heart for the people and students of our state it has been the best place to work and live. My college program is also one of the top Interior Design programs for what we do with a nearly 100% employment rate annually, and the absolutely best college students anyone could ask for. For my job, my college major that I run requires that my students take a design field study travel course this could be fulfilled by taking either a local/regional travel course, or a study abroad option. This is very common no matter what college design students attend. Many students select the study abroad options for many reasons mainly because they get hired so quickly following having participated in that experience. We usually have a wait list of employers for our students and they want those who have studied abroad.This summer I am supposed to be taking students to Italy to study Interior Design and architecture Italy is just one country I have been to many times to lead previous study abroad groups. Despite Italy not requiring visitors/tourists to be vaccinated to enter (as of now), my college's Global Programs department is requiring that everyone who travels, students and faculty, be vaccinated for covid. This is problematic, because I and several of my students are not vaccinated. At my college, thankfully, we have been face to face, functioning almost how we did prior to 2020 this whole last year. We have done so safely with minimal interruptions to our courses. Students and faculty can decide if we want to wear masks and they are not required. This is the first time that this issue is threatening the academic experience and no one really knows what we should do. If I am not vaccinated for this educational course, the study abroad may potentially be canceled (I won't be able to teach it). If students are not vaccinated, they are not being allowed to go despite this being one of the options for their required course. The other option is going to Chicago, where now, being vaccinated is also essentially required to go into many places that we have visited for the past 15 years. So either way, my students, who are simply after an interior design and architecture education, are being forced into being vaccinated in order to take courses as part of their degree requirements and that is wrong. This is outside of my control and I hate that I can't do anything to protect the medical choices of my students. There is no law protecting my students and their right to these academic courses, or myself and my right to do my job and teach these courses, and it is time for one. My college should not be making being vaccinated for Covid a requirement to obtain an educational experience, and unfortunately, currently that is a predicament I am working under.Having seen this coming, last fall I thought perhaps using a medical exemption would be honored by my college should this situation arise and if my job would be in jeopardy like so many other people have experienced. Upon seeking a medical exemption, I experienced another odd kind of discrimination at my own doctor's office. I have several allergies to many kinds of medicines, shots, and vaccines and have gone to the emergency room regarding allergic reactions ranging from hives to being unable to breathe. My allergies to pharmaceuticals are all thoroughly documented with all of my doctors ranging from my family doctor to my urologist and nephrologist. Additionally, I have a rare kidney disease and have been very cautious about what I put into my body for the last 20 years, to help preserve what functions I do have for my kidneys. As a result of my health history, I went to my doctor's office to request a medical exemption form to have on hand for my work and my doctor told me, "Jillissa, under normal circumstances I would 100% be willing to do this for you of all the people who this applies to, it would make sense. However, my attorney has advised me not to write any exemptions because doctors all across America who do are being black booked and having licenses reviewed. So unfortunately, I am not allowed to write one. I'm so sorry."to that extent. My doctor apologized. She knew this would be harmful and knew a medical exemption would make sense, but was fearful to write one, so she declined. Her professional expertise was trumped by fear.I was in shock, that my doctor, who took an oath to do no harm, knows this will be harmful to me, but will not write a letter not because it doesnt make sense, but out of fear of having her license reviewed/removed and her practice closed. This unintentional discrimination stems from professional and medical bullying, not only impacting me, but my doctor as well. No doctors should be or feel threatened by doing what is right for their patients. Unfortunately, we are seeing this occur far too often where doctors can no longer do what is right for their patients, prescribe what their medical expertise and experience shows works, etc. Many doctors have been fired for doing these things, and that makes other doctors fearful. We should say no doctors can practice without fear in the great state of Iowa and citizens do not need to obtain notes to allow them to keep working.I am now twice recovered from Covid and my antibodies worked for nearly 2 years until I recently got Covid again, during which, I was relatively asymptomatic. I have recovered and again have antibodies. Back to my job currently, Italy will honor a recently recovered document from a doctor. as of today, but that could change, and still does not change what my college is wanting and will request shortly from those planning to travel proof of vaccination against covid. I am hoping that this summer, to teach my study abroad, that I can use a proof of recovery document while in Italy that would be good enough for them, but would it be good enough for my college/place of employment in Iowa? I do not feel that my employer should discriminate against me or my students and deny my students the ability to learn, and everything is just an utter mess right now. Where there is risk, there needs to be choice, and these vaccine manufacturers are not liable for any injuries, and they have total exemption. We the people, should not need to seek exemptions, or need to get proof of recovery, because needing to do so already shows discrimination occurring. No one should need to choose between a job, or a college class/college credit, and their medical safety/health. We have heard some say that what we have going in Iowa currently is working, well Id implore people to ask all those who have been fired for making a private medical decision if it worked? Ask my students who will be denied a college course if it is working? Ask me, who has my courses I teach in jeopardy if it is working? People are still being discriminated against and requiring vaccines to essentially live or participate in society or to travel to different cities and just do our jobs all of which is a gross violation of the Nuremberg Code. Employers are still asking for private information and going against medical and religious beliefs. My Global Programs department is going to ask for proof of vaccination cards from my students very soon. Back in December, a leader from my place of employment even said that if you are forced to wear a mask at work and it is really about religion, you should view it as making a statement. I didn't view it that way. Its not a statement, if it is not a choice. Coercion is not consent. I will not allow coercion of myself, my family, or my students and I am asking you to do the same by passing HSB 647.We live in Iowa where our motto is, Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. Well, right now our liberties are in jeopardy and our rights are fleeing. Passing HSB 647 would demonstrate that we actively live our motto and it is not simply a bunch of words on a page. This is not a biomedical security state, its Iowa, its our home. We are the land of the free and I along with thousands of other Iowans are praying it stays that way. I am asking you to please pass HSB647 and move this bill forward. Thank you kindly for your time

02-10-2022

Rob Bixler []

I work parttime, for a Governmental entity and under the Biden Administrations dictatorial mandates, businesses that employ over 100 people would have been required to show proof of vaccination status. I am not antivax. The Board of Supervisors established a policy, aligning with the OSHA guidelines. Wanting to give my employer a heads up, I informed my boss that I was 1. Not going to furnish the County with any of my medical information. 2. I was not going submit to weekly testing. 3. I was not going to wear a mask, in the office. I was prepared to terminate my employment. Thanks to the Governor, for not enforcing the federal OSHA rule, and the Supreme Court for striking it down, these measures were not instituted. The three letter governmental entities have done a great deal of flipflopping over the last two years and I dont trust any of their information. The real science gets censored. Its time to return to using common sense, regarding mandates, masks etcetera, which is sorely missing at this point in time.

02-10-2022

Jen Holschlag []

I am asking for you to support HSB647.A dear friend of mine is a Physician Assistant in the ER. She received the vaccination. She has had complications including DVT and is in pain. There isn't much that can be done to help her.My husband's employer is requiring him to test weekly even though he is still working from home. This is a violation of our rights.Our son's team requires non vaccinated individuals to quarantine after exposure while vaccinated players are allowed to practice and play in games. This is discrimination because we know both nonvaccinated and vaccinated can still get COVIDI am asking you to support HSN627 and help put an end to the discrimination. It's time all of us get our freedoms back!!

02-10-2022

William Florence []

My job was incentivizing the vaccine. Offering $100 bonus to everyone who got it. I wasnt sure if I was going to get it or not but that was a major factor and ultimately the deciding factor for me getting it. Everything is so expensive right now and I needed the extra cash for my family. I since have had regrets about getting it. Unsure if it plays a part in some weird symptoms I have been experiencing since. I ended up leaving that job and got an interview with another job and they said that I was a top candidate because they contracted in with a company who requires the vaccine and since we would be going into that building we had to abide by their standards. Putting me ahead of other perspective workers.

02-10-2022

Jen Holschlag []

02-10-2022

Katherine Lundberg []

I fully support HSB 647! Ive been kicked out of stores for being unmasked and been discriminated against in public and healthcare facilities for my and my familys personal and religious devotion and that such as not to vaccinate, or wear a mask. This bill, sadly, is necessary to help the discrimination come to an end. Please pass this bill to further and ensure the future freedoms of Iowans.

02-10-2022

Kimberly Barker []

I work for a global company which has a large workforce in the state of Iowa. They have stated they will continue with vaccine mandates as outlined by OSHA. Those who have chosen not to be vaccinated or are not fully vaccinated must be subjected to weekly testing as well as mandatory masking at all times. Further, the test kits must be picked up/dropped off at a designated onsite location where others may see you and know your status. I raised concerns about confidentiality, as well as concerns about discrimination and retaliation that may happen as a result of this policy. Below is the response I received from my department leaders. "Someone's vaccination status is not confidential. We certainly restrict access on a business need to know basis. For example, if you're unvaccinated, you manager is going to know, because he/she will get reports about testing compliance, for example when we're back in the office. Those who are unvaccinated need to face masks at all times and in many jurisdictions the same requirements won't apply to those who are vaccinated. It is relevant for contact tracing purposes. It would be very difficult/costly to try to operationalize testing to make it confidential, and we're not going to try to ensure that it is. I realize that may not be a fully satisfying response, but it's the reality of the situation. It also seems like the reality of the situation in the country as a whole. There's a lot of collective experience disclosing vaccination status with respect to restaurants, venues, and the like."My company is willing to discriminate against their employees and ignore valid concerns about confidentiality and retaliation that may happen based on a onesize fits all approach.

02-10-2022

Chris Haring []

Please pass. This has gone far enough over the last two years .My medical records are between myself and doctor of choice, I cannot be bought with a $1000 incentive to get the jab, the mask mandates/ vaccination status on myself and others in the work place segregation of employees is a direct violation of Iowa Code section 216.6 (1)(A) vaccination status one can do this and other cannot . Workplace violation.The long term effects of a experimental vaccination is unknown as states by the CDC themselves CDC has now admitted that the vaccine has caused heart inflammation myocarditiswhich causes death. Stop the madness today! Chris Haring

02-10-2022

Elizabeth Hugen []

I support HSC 647. My daughter was seeking new employment this year. She had to provide Vax status as a contingency to gain employment. She applied for and was hired with a vaccination exemption. A few weeks into employment, the gentleman that over sees her location tracked her down and in front of others questioned her Vax status. Questioned her reasons for not having the vaccine and stated he couldn't locate her exemption and told her she would need to get a vaccine that day, or leave the premises. It was degrading and bullying behavior to attempt to force her into a vaccine which she chooses not to take for reason that should not be required to be public record. This is a slippery slope we are on with these vaccination cards. If we allow this information to be public record and discrimination based on this vaccine status, where will it end? Respectfully Submitted,Elizabeth Hugen

02-10-2022

Merrill Peterson []

I support medical freedom. The past year we have been pressured and coerced to make private medical decisions by our employers. Either get the jab or wear masks. Get the jab or wear masks AND face weekly testing. Oh and those tests, they will be at the employees expense. I support this bill!

02-10-2022

Sam Jarvis [self]

I do not support HSB 647. This will unnecessarily harm others and bills like this continue to provide a dangerous narrative that vaccines are not safe, when in fact they are. Vaccines undergo a rigorous process to determine safety and efficacy. https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/safety/index.html

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02-10-2022

JoAnne Ramaeker []

Im adding my full support of the Medical Privacy bill. Medical information should only be available to the individual and their chosen health care provided(s). Employers, schools, churches etc. have no business knowing an individuals health care status. My employer has asked for it. There are different treatments for those who are, and those who are not vaccinated when all of the science indicates both status can still get and carry the virus. Why the discrimination?

02-10-2022

Amanda Gingerich []

As a new mother I feel the incredible weight of the way our medical freedom is slowly slipping away. It is our right to make our own individual informed decision about what we put in or on our bodies, and not to mention our privacy being invaded by being asked to disclose our medical history. This has been the case for me as it was mandated in both of my work places to wear a mask which I was very uncomfortable doing while pregnant. I would love the opportunity to return to work after my maternity leave and have the choice to wear or not wear a mask and to decline the weekly Covid testing because I am unvaccinated! Please vote yes to the HSB 647 bill. I want my son and the future generations to be proud of the decision made here today. Please hear our many voices ringing out as one for freedom from these unconstitutional mandates.

02-10-2022

Kayla Pickering []

I want to note my support for the passing of this bill. I have worked hard in my career and it's incredibly frustrating to know that upon return to the office that my medical status will be shared with people including management. Not only that but anyone not vaccinated would need to wear a mask, visibly marking peoples status to their coworkers. This is unacceptable, especially considering that natural immunity is not being taken into account.

02-10-2022

Amie Hoffman []

Please support HSB 647. All Iowans have the right to make personal medical decisions without being coerced, bullied, or impugned. All Iowans have the right to keep their medical history and choices private.

02-10-2022

Amanda Phillips []

I am asking the Iowa legislature to pass HSB 647! It is imperative we still have the option to choose what medical procedures we wish to participate in! I have had to share my private medical information in order to keep my job and as a result of my decision, I have been moved into a different position within my company due to my vaccination status. Please vote YES for the Medical Freedom Act in Iowa.Thank you!

02-10-2022

Kayla Byington []

There is not a single pharmaceutical product that is suitable for an entire population; this includes vaccines. Vaccine injury is real, not rare and is happening right now with the covid vaccine. There have been nearly 750,000 adverse events reported to VAERS (known for notoriously underreporting); a 300% increase in miscarriages and cancer (DOD data); and a 1000% increase in neurological issues (DOD data). With risk, there must be choice and, according to the US Congress and Supreme Court, vaccines are unavoidably unsafe.Instead of recognizing this truth, people have been manipulated, coerced, gaslighted, and discriminated against. Our family has experienced all of this from workplace to events but we are resolute in our decision because we weighed the risks and benefits against OUR personal health histories. Please give all Iowans the ability to do the same, without concern of losing their job or being branded as an unvaccinated person.Im asking you to put an end to this madness and support HSB 647.

02-10-2022

Jessica Block []

Passing HSB 647 is crucial to the protection of individual and parental medical freedom and privacy. Our family has faced discrimination in medical care, being turned away from nearly every pediatric medical office in our area, because of our personal medical choices. Additionally, in the past two years we have been turned away from numerous businesses and community events because of our personal convictions on masking. I want our children to know we did all we could to protect their freedom, as well as generations to come. We cannot succumb to becoming a segregated society again. Please uphold our great states motto and pass HSB 647. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Thank you for considering each and every one of these very important statements from constituents who truly care about the medical freedom and privacy of Iowans.

02-10-2022

Kathy Sisco []

My employer states they are requiring us to report our vaccination status because it impacts how the company does business. They claim our customers continue to tell us they only want vaccinated employees to provide onsite service. I work in IT and the company I work for doesn't even provide service in Cedar Rapids/Marion. The blanket request for all employees to report their status doesn't match their reasoning as to why its needed.For the record, I am vaccinated, but some friends/family/coworkers are not. I have refused to provide my status because I believe this is government overreach. I support this bill. Thank you.

02-10-2022

Tim Skinner []

I'm writing in support of HSB 647. I am one of the minorities who have faced multiple counts of discrimination during this COVID outbreak. I have some moderate lung and sinus issues that keep me from wearing masks for any length of time. Also, I have some religious convictions that said that I should not receive the vaccine. There are a number of details of my personal story that I will need to leave out, but I will highlight some of the important points below.1. I went into a public place of business that I have frequented over the past 25 years or so. I had been told that they were relaxing some of their stringent masking rules. Unfortunately, while I was there, I had a moderate to severe issue with my lungs that required full oxygen. I attempted to quickly find what I needed and to get home before things got worse. As I went to check out, I was told that I had to put a mask on before they would sell me anything. I informed them several times that I was currently having a medical issue and could not put on a mask at that time. They refused to even consider this and the manager gave a very lame excuse about protecting the public. They refused to serve me. I left the store without my item.2. My company is a major employer in Eastern Iowa. After several months of COVID, they decided to impose a mask mandate. I attempted on several days to wear a mask of some kind of another. However, I either had severe breathing issues that made me unable to work or I got sick from wearing the mask. My company literature said that if I could not wear a mask, I should not do it. I obtained a note from my doctor stating that I should not mask, but my company essentially ignored this and told me that if I did not wear a full mask that I had to wear an uncomfortable face shield instead. In no uncertain terms, I was told that I would lose my current position with the company and be forced to work only from home. This would have essentially ended my multiple decade career with the company.3. My company decided to impose a vaccine mandate even before the Biden administration had set up the rules to govern their mandate decision. Many of us did not feel that we could comply with this. I had serious personal concerns from both a medical and religious perspective. Medical exemptions were almost impossible to get, so I went the route of a religious exemption. I had to go through two sets of detailed questionnaires that asked some very personal religious questions about what my particular denomination and whether I attended church regularly and what my church believed. They, also, asked if I ever used aspirin, Advil, or other medications. It was obvious that the company was looking for a way to deny my exemption. This was just the tip of the iceberg of the questions that they asked.4. As part of the exemption process, we had to agree to a reasonable accommodation that involves weekly testing and continued wearing of masks. My boss told me I must comply, or he would be forced to fire me (even though he did not want to do so). Late last year, I did have a fairly serious case of Covid. As part of my exemption process, I asked if I could do an antibody test instead of weekly testing. The company sat on my request for two months. The week in January that I was supposed to start testing or get fired, they answered back with no explanation and said that my request was denied. At that point I agreed (under duress) to their demands, or I would have lost my job.5. The Supreme Court very shortly thereafter struck down the Biden Mandate. I assumed that my company would stop the forced testing, but they did not. When I asked about it, I was told, we are going to do the right thing. As of today all those who have not been vaccinated (mostly due to religious and medical reasons) are still being forced to submit to weekly testing. Even though it is now well known that the Omicron Variant can be passed on by both vaccinated and unvaccinated, the company still is forcing ONLY the unvaccinated to undergo this testing.If you had told me two or three years ago that these things would happen to me, I would have laughed at you and told you to stop pushing conspiracy theories. It is still difficult for me to believe that this indeed has happened of all places here in Iowa. Yes, there has been a disease, and yes, there has been a lot of suffering because of it, but as you can see, this has emboldened many to use these circumstances to discriminate against others. The way that these issues have been handled is wrong. My (very much abbreviated) story is only one of many that have taken place all around Iowa. I would urge you to pass this bill and stop this continued effort to overturn our rights and to discriminate against us regardless of our circumstances. Thank you!

02-10-2022

Michael Gentosi []

This bill is pivotal. I personally experienced what segregation will entail based on vaccination status when my employer made the OSHA Mandate city policy. Thankfully, SCOTUS struck down that wickedness and the city pulled but stated for now. A bill such as this is pivotal to ensure we dont have fight for our rights in the future. Our rights should be codified into state law. Please push this forward.

02-10-2022

Marci Miller []

Please approve Bill 647. I am a public school teacher at Maquoketa High School and I am grateful that I was not required to get the shot. I was, however, required to wear a mask for almost the entire duration of the school year 2021. I am grateful that our state leadership helped put an end to that. With so many tyrants requiring vaccine and mask mandates, we must stand up for freedom! I am so happy to live in the great state of Iowa and pray that our freedoms here will continue. Please approve Bill 647.

02-10-2022

Monica Steffeck []

I was denied entrance to my workplace, Clickstop, throughout 2020 and 2021. They imposed requirements for masking, and captured medical information from employees under threat of taking away hours or termination for non compliance. I was discriminated against and unable to shop at many retailers.I support protecting medical information and banning discrimination based on masking, vaccination, or medical records of any sort. Please rule in favor of freedom and personal responsibility in risk of virus.

02-10-2022

MICHELLE VEACH []

I'm in favor of HSB 647. Iowans need legal protection of our medical freedoms. I am unable to receive goods and services at the Civic Center of Iowa (DMPA) without showing my medical information, and then wearing a mask. I have been a patron of the Civic Center for 21 years. I have already paid for 5 shows this season, and unless willing to comply will not be able to attend. I am also scheduled to perform at the Civic Center in April, and will not be allowed to do so without showing my medical information. I refuse to, and should never be forced to show my medical information to anyone. This is medical discrimination, and will create subgroups of people. I will NOT comply. Michelle VeachJohnston voter and Mom of two

02-10-2022

jinger robinson []

I have filed for 7 religious exemptions, all 7 have been denied. In this process I have already been required to divulge more of my personal information than my employer is entitled to know. As a Gerontologist we have known the workforce would be facing a shortage of professionals and skilled workers. Iowa cannot afford to let medical discrimination make this situation even worse, by allowing employers to terminate these qualified, tax paying Iowans for exercising their rights. I am employed by an organization that receives Iowa taxpayer funds. Since removing myself and others from our positions, in some situations we have been replaced by employees that reside in IL, and have onethird the education and experience. I am no longer allowed to leave my home office to visit vulnerable Iowans in their homes. I am a MA level Gerontologist, who due to exercising my medical freedom has been reduced to an overpaid administrative assistant. Is this the best use of Iowa Taxpayer resources? The writing is on the wall, this organization has removed me from my customer facing position and allowing just enough time to pass before terminating me that it wont appear I was terminated for refusing the corporate vaccine mandate. To ensure the employment possibilities of all Iowans you must move this bill forward and it must become law.

02-10-2022

Philip Kelly []

"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"Ben FranklinOur federal government in it's overreach and tyrannical laws is a much greater danger to society than any virus.

02-10-2022

Philip Kelly []

02-10-2022

Rebecca Westemeyer []

I'm down right fed up with the intentional disregard for our human rights. Medical choices are a personal freedom. Period. This is America and I don't ever want anymore made up ways to divide us. Specifically medically. Adults don't need to be treated like children. The government and my employer can STAY out of MY personal business.

02-10-2022

Justin Block []

Please Pass HSB 647. Passing HSB 647 is crucial to the protection of individual and parental medical freedom and privacy. I have faced discrimination/segregation in the workplace mandating masks for all which evolved to masking for unvaccinated individuals only. Masking has then become a public broadcast of private medical information. The current data on masking does not indicate relevant effectiveness, and there is no long term data available for the injections being administered for covid mandating either is an invasion of medical freedom and individual power of choice. Our family has faced discrimination in medical care, being turned away from pediatric medical offices in our area, because of our personal medical choices. We have also been turned away from numerous businesses and community events because of our personal convictions on masking. We want our children to know we did all we could to protect their freedom, as well as generations to come. We cannot succumb to becoming a segregated society again. Please uphold our great states motto and pass HSB 647. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Thank you for considering each and every one of these very important statements from constituents who care about the medical freedom and privacy of Iowans.

02-10-2022

Kim Mienke []

I am writing to support medical freedom and choice. After President Biden announced the vaccine mandate my husband's employer asked for all employees' covid vaccination status. If an employee was not yet vaccinated, they had a deadline for being fully vaccinated. If they had no intention of getting vaccinated they had to fill out exemption forms. Then, IF their exemption was approved, it was on the condition that the employee (unvaccinated) had to agree to the stipulation of being tested every week. So all unvaccinated employees at my husband's work have to test weekly to keep working. This is discrimination as well as his health care status (& all employees') are not the employer's business. They should not be able to dictate what health care or protocols on any employees.

02-10-2022

Bethany Moore []

As a registered nurse, I was asked to invade patients personal privacy in order that they may receive care. For example, to enter the hospital, we were to place the patients name on a sticker and ask them to wear it showing they had been screened. At one point, we were also instructed to list which department they were headed to. I refused. This is a gross invasion of patient privacy. They are at the hospital to receive care, not disclose to all around how they are struggling. Personally, I was discriminated against because I had chosen not to receive the vaccine. I was in attendance at a meeting wearing my mask as required per policy for unvaccinated employees. Upon discovering that I was unvaccinated, the rest of the vaccinated employees were forced to wear their mask too. It singled me out and revealed personal health information.

02-10-2022

Anne Haring []

I urge the passage of HSB 647! The protection of individual and parental medical freedom and privacy is of utmost importance. We cannot succumb to becoming a segregated society once again. You must uphold our great states motto, our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.

02-10-2022

Jason W []

I am writing in favor of HSB 647. My privacy rights were already violated at my place of work as my employer implemented COVID mandates which required vaccines in order to work. My wife still faces discrimination and termination from her place of employment. Two of my sisterinlaws and one of my brotherinlaws have also faced coercion, discrimination and violation of their rights due to medical tyranny from employers. The purpose of our State government is to protect our rights. Allowing violations of our privacy rights, discrimination based upon our religious beliefs and medical decisions used to be unthinkable, put an end to this without further delay.Thank you.

02-10-2022

Danielle Schmitz []

I have been working at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center West Burlington Orthopedics as a xray technologist for 8 years. The past 2 years have been nothing but disappointing with discrimination: forced masking, forced face shielded, potential isolation and segregation from coworkers who have been vaccinated. My religious exemption contained intrusive questions, which I was denied for initially and had to appeal to be able to keep my position. Upon approval of my appeal more stipulations have been introduced for my employment. Mental exhaustion has been the common factor and with my best interest I must step away from my career I have trained for and love doing. The outcome for many is still unknown, but many have had the same issues if not more if their appeals were denied. Please hear our voices!This is such a larger issue that is snowballing fast!

02-10-2022

Jennifer Leonhard []

My name is Jennifer Leonhard, I live in Ankeny, and I am in favor of this bill. I was vaccine injured as a child. In 1994 my pediatrician told me to NEVER get another vaccine but he was unwilling to write a medical exemption because he was afraid of reprecussions from the medical board. I was a normal happy child. I had no indication that I would be predisposed to vaccine injury. No way for my doctor or parents to predict this outcome and yet it happened. It affected childhood greatly, but it didn't end there. My autoimmune condition made it difficult for my husband and I to have children. Over more than a decade i had dozens of miscarriages and 1 full term stillbirth. I held a dead baby before i ever got to hold my 2 living ones. This has a ripple effect. Only 17% of marriages survive child loss, and almost *half* of parents who lose a child commit suicide or are committed to an institution for severe mental health issues. I am a survivor. And I'm fighting for women and families who may endure the same *unpredictable* result. With my history I cannot risk my children getting an experimental shot. I am fighting for their future jobs. I am fighting for my future jobs. I lost my job in October because of the mandates coming down the pipeline. I worked through the pandemic, a part of keeping the Iowa Economy strong, but lost my job because my employer did not deem my medical history valid the 23 year old retail store manager had zero medical training but was allowed to make this decision regarding my health. I should not have to tell anyone about my dead children and beg them to understand or consider my medical history. I shouldn't need to answer questions about the intimate details of my reproductive organs. During my last shift at work I spent 2 hours answering questions about my sex life, mental health, and how my child died. I was still taken off the schedule and then terminated 60 days later. My dead baby was not good enough for them. I should not have to give my life story in order to work, eat, or go shopping. We must provide Iowans Medical Privacy and Freedom.

02-10-2022

Austin LaVelle []

At my job we are being forced to wear masks because of the Covid situation. I believe we are getting to the point where we all need to get on with our lives without restrictions. My job is a private company and many of us in the private industry have had to deal with these restrictions longer. Also at my place of work because I havent been vaccinated and because I wouldnt ever show them proof if I was or not Im segregated within their records as unvaccinated. Yes this has also led to them making the unvaccinated according to their records have to wear masks while those who choose to show their vaccination status didnt have to. This madness needs to end! No more segregating for vaccination status.

02-10-2022

Kinsey Nielsen []

I support HSB 647. Many friends and family have lost employment opportunities due to Covid vaccine mandates. When employers are requesting vaccination information for jobs and internships I find this irrelevant to the job and it is unjustly discriminating against those who choose not to get the shot. The future of the next generations' medical freedom is at stake and we need to protect those rights. I support HSB 647.

02-10-2022

Cullen Hawes []

Medical freedom protections are paramount. Vaccine restrictions are not going without actions like this bill, and the ability to live, work, travel should not be infringed upon based on opting out of a medical procedure of any kind. Thank you for supporting this bill!

02-10-2022

Jasanna CZELLAR []

My husband's employer is currently giving special health privileges to those at the company who have received the shot, even though they have publicly acknowledged that both jabbed and unjabbed can equally become infected and transmit the virus. They burden of requiring everyone to test is too much of a "financial burden" according to them, to require testing of everyone. Now they have become even more free in other areas for those who have gotten a shot. I don't remember financial reasons being an excuse for discrimination.

02-10-2022

Rachael Laverman []

I'm speaking up in support of HSB 647. Speaking from personal experience and knowing several people who have been injured by vaccines, it breaks my heart that people would have to make a choice between their health and their career. My husband has heart issues and might not survive vaccination if his company mandated it, and losing his job would be devastating. Please protect our constitutional freedoms and pass this bill!

02-10-2022

Jenna Nicole []

Please support Iowans medical privacy and freedom. These "health" mandates have had many negative effects on myself and my family.Medical treatments and the disclosure of such should always be a personal choice without coercion.

02-10-2022

Natasha Schiebel []

I am in support of Bill HSB 647. With in the last two year i have been required to wear a mask against my will at my place of employment, which in turn has given me insane anxiety and severe asthma, before I was required to wear a mask these things where never a issue for me. I was also required to state in writing what my vaccination status is. That is non of my employers business. I believe they have no right to ask me about my medical status. Within all of this every time anyone including myself would have to call in sick we where required to fill out a extensive form to see if we were allowed back at work. This formed was to be emailed to corporate and they where to decide if we could return to work.I had a doctors note that cleared me to go back to work after being sick but I was still not allowed to return because the company I work for decided I was not ok to return to work even when my doctor said i was cleared to return, in return I ended up having a couple weeks off resulting in no pay. Please let's work together to make this end.

02-10-2022

Mitzi Fields []

I am in full support of HSB 647, and I think you should be too. What happened to HIPAA? How is Covid 19 medical information exempt from the privacies we've been ensured under HIPAA? Being forced to disclose private medical information or take a medicine that is clearly unwanted is not good ethical practice. It will severely depress one's autonomy to make decisions without coercion, intimidation, or threat and it certainly will not unite people. It will only divide, discriminate, and upset the majority. By supporting this bill you will be supporting fellow Iowans, your friends and neighbors. I respectfully ask you to consider what is to be gained by voting against this bill. Decisions have consequences and, in this case, far reaching impact. Please keep our medical privacies in tact. Kind regards.

02-10-2022

Michelle Schneider []

I am in support of HSB 647. The discrimination based on medical decisions has to stop. I have a medical exemption for masking and I was denied service at a local Des Moines hospital ER because I cannot wear a mask. This is not right, I felt like a secondclass citizen being told that I was not good enough to receive care due to a medical exemption written and signed by my DR. This discrimination is only a start to the denial of rights that every American citizen is entitled to. We as people have a Godgiven right to decide what medical procedures we want to participate in and ones we do not. This is called informed consent.

02-10-2022

Monica Cooper []

I am a resident of Jasper County, and I have been a Registered Nurse for 11 years. This bill is vital for our freedoms and I ask the legislature to do your duty, listen to the people, and all the comments here, and pass this bill.

02-10-2022

Victoria Becraft []

My name is Victoria Becraft. I am not writing as an angry citizen. I was raised in Scott County, Iowa so my roots are deep yet not as deep as my roots to God Almighty. My husband and I are in full agreement with HSB647! We appose all mask and vaccine mandates. We believe in our Constitutional right to freedom of religion which includes trusting God. I received a miracle from God July 14, 2010 for an inoperable brain tumor. Mayo Clinic gave me 2 months to live;I have lived symptom free for 11 1/2 years. The tumor still sits in the same location and is still the same size. As one who owned an automotive repair business in Iowa for 15 years, I had to comply to the Americans with Disability Act which states an employer may not ask a job applicant whether they have a disability (even if it's obvious). This includes individuals past, present or future physical or mental health conditions; the provision of healthcare to the individual or past, present or future payment for provision of health care. With this, we believe our healthcare should remain as private as we choose to keep it. I will, once again, be at the Capital building to rally in love for this bill! Thank you and may God bless you all.

02-10-2022

Kathy Pietraszewski []

I urge you to restore the medical freedom of ALL Iowans which has been illegally taken away under tyrannical mandates. Under the 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 50.23 & 24 make it illegal to force people into an experiment under coercion. That is how the U.S. embraced the Nuremberg Code. Firing you if you do not want to take an experimental injection is coercion. Once we start allowing the government to have control over our bodies, our humanity is doomed. This extreme importance of protecting bodily autonomy must be understood. It is a shot today. It could be forced sterilization or euthanasia down the road. And the goal of the stated goals of transhumanists are to implant chips in human brains so that people can be upgraded like a computer. No thank you. Ill take my body and brain just the way God created me, flaws and all. Please protect humanity.

02-10-2022

Ron Heims []

I support HSB 647. Thank God the vaccine mandate for businesses was struck down. Before this happened our government put businesses into a very uncomfortable position of having to be the police for something they may or may not have believed in. The company I work for started to collect private medical information which caused undue stress within our leadership and with our staff. I believe this is unconstitutional and we need to take steps to further guarantee peoples freedoms and protection of their privacy.

02-10-2022

Ryan Henryson []

I am commenting in support of HSB 647. A foundational constitutional principle is the right to decide what one puts into their own body. Though many individuals may argue that no one is required to be vaccinated there are severe penalties for those that choose otherwise. These include workplace discrimination, weekly testing, inability to travel and possible loss of job. If this bill is not passed Iowans will continue to have their rights infringed and will be unwillingly coerced to complete a medical procedure (e.g. vaccination / testing) to remain employed or go to venues requiring vaccination or testing. In addition to rights violations, Iowans will also suffer from a poor economic recovery because a percentage of the society will no longer be able to participate as they have previously. Please pass this bill and support the rights of all Iowans. Now more than ever we need our representatives to act in the cause of freedom.

02-10-2022

Ralph Cole []

I am a US Navy Veteran and a Pastor. Our veterans (US Military, Law Enforcement, First Responders) have given their lives to fight against such a tyrannical government and tyrannical employers. The families of these veterans have given the ultimate sacrifice in the death of their loved one for a simple word which holds great value and meaning to the American public, FREEDOM! Freedom means: (Websters Dictionary and the Internet Dictionary)The absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; The exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc. The the power to determine action without restraint. Freedom for the Iowan's means that our government does not have the right, nor do employers have the right, nor any other entity has the right to force, coerce, or constrain people to put foreign substances into our bodies without their free consent. Our government does not have the right, nor do employers have the right, nor any other entity has the right to violate the Iowan's medical privacy that is between them and their doctor. Forcing, coercing, or constraining people to put foreign substances into their bodies, or divulging medical information without their free consent as a condition for employment leads too discrimination. As a Pastor I have watched our government and main stream news media demonize the church or religious establishments through the use of fear. They are making people think if they go to church that the church is the house of the plague where you will contract the coronavirus. Our government is using Covid19 combined with fear to purloin or steal away rights from the Iowan's. I have had the heart wrenching responsibility of trying to help my church member make a sound decision whether to get the Covid19 shot and keep their Job or refuse to get the Covid19 shot and loose their Job. My church members feel as if they have no choice about having to take the Covid19 shot. Some of my church members have had adverse effects from the shot and have no recourse or redress of holding the pharmaceutical industry responsible, nor their government responsible, nor their employer responsible. Iowans are being forced to take a Covid19 shot or lose their Job. Many did not want to get the Covid19 shot but are forced to get the shot or lose their employment. Our government nor companies have the right to force people to put unsafe, untested, unapproved foreign substances into their bodies. I have helped my members write and apply for a religious exemption to have their place of employment to recognize it but disregard it and not allow them entrance into the building unless they comply. The Iowan's should not have to beg and plead with their representatives to do their Job to protect them from discrimination and from a tyrannical government. It ought to be commonsense which seem to be devoid in most of our legislators and senators when they are voted into office. Common sense means: (Websters Dictionary and the Internet Dictionary)Ordinary sensible understanding; One's basic intelligence which allows for plain understanding and without which good decisions or judgments cannot be made. Sound judgment not based on specialized knowledge.Common sense should dictate to you to pass the HSB647 Medical & Privacy Act that denies employers the right too discriminated against the Iowan's just because they will not get a Covid19 shot, nor divulge their medical privacy. Many Iowans do not trust their government to disclose the truth. The Iowan's ought to have the right to sue their employer for forcing, coercing, and constraining their employees to violate their conscience and put a foreign substance into their body without their free consent.We do not live in a democracy as many of our representatives so erroneously state. We live in a constitutional Republic where the Declaration of Independence says, (We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,..). A Constitutional Republic means We The People are the boss and our elected representatives are our employees. The Declaration of Independance says, (Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,). The US Constitution says in the Preamble, We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. The first three words of the US Constitution tells you who is in charge of the government, We the people. When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense, lest it result innonsense.

02-10-2022

Corinne Muessigmann-Sills []

On November 8th my dad tripped and fell and had a concussion. After doing first aid, and calling 911 for assistance, it was determined that he was likely okay and didn't need to go to the hospital. But with him being 80 years old, that decision was overridden by other family members. And it did make sense to ensure nothing else was wrong with him. But in the back of my mind, I felt that I would never see him alive again. The ER doctors wrote on his records that he was in for repetitive falling. NOT the case. He fell once. (Diagnosis given to keep him there.) No temperature, no cold symptoms, nothing. But in order to admit him they had to administer a Covid test. At 3:00 AM on the 9th, I was told he tested positive. I argued with the ER staff to administer a 2nd test, which they would not. They refused.It was determined the next day to test multiple potential causes for "repetitive falling." Heart, brain, blood, etc. He had a slightly raised heart enzyme, but after a few days it was determined that he did not have a heart attack. The continued with testing his kidneys: fine, his liver: fine. No explanation for that ONE fall. On the following Saturday we were to pick my dad up at 5:30. at 5:15 we received a call stating his temperature had spiked. (After getting more records, we discovered his temperature never went above 99.3 and that was a normal temperature for him.) Then enters a new doctor saying my dad was a very, very sick man with covid. My mother, dad's POA, said absolutely NOT to Remdesivir and Dexamethasone. The doctor stated "I am his doctor and I will use the studied protocol if I deem necessary. He assured us remdesivir had not been used. A few days later we went and got my dad's records from the hospital. NO cough, NO fever, NO congestion, NO sore throat. NOTHING. The steroids were overused, and then he was on 80% oxygen. We begged for monoclonal antibodies that we were told were not used for in patient. Why NOT? We asked for Ivermectin and HCQ along with zinc and vitamins C and D. and in the records, the doctor stated he "debunked the conspiracy theory that the family demanded with various studies." No he didn't, he couldn't even tell me one study.As we zoomed daily, I watched my dementia dad become more and more depressed, more and more sick and completely terrified of the PPE that would have scared even me. He ripped out many IVS and begged to go home and the doctors would not let us take him out of the covid unit. I will NEVER forget the fear in my dad's face and in his eyes. Suddenly he was on 100% oxygen and in need for a ventilator. We received more records and sure enough, the administered Remdesivir against my mother's wishes. When confronting the doctor, he said, "I see it's helping so we will just stop it now, three days was probably enough." More records: they did it for FIVE days.My elderly mother was threatened with law suits because she was not going to pull the plug on him. After 21 days I made quite the fuss about getting to see my dad in person and they finally said "oh he's no longer contagious so come in." Why? Because they gave him the death sentence? His face was full of fluid, he was sedated with fentanyl and hooked up to so many poisons that the smell coming from his was sickening. I never got to hear my dad's voice again. A healthy 80 year old man with beginning signs of dementia was killed with the so called safe and effective "fda protocol" that even the NIH says not to use. Guaranteed, they pulled the plug at the hospital because his body was very cold when we arrived 15 minutes after they called to say he had passed.1.) They ARE killing those on Medicare in hospitals2.) doctors and hospitals DO receive extra funding for positive covid tests, Remdesivir and dexamethasone to be used, and each death they classify as Covid it's on the CMS web site.3.) in the few days I watched my dad die, I saw NO doctor, NO nurse who was tenured. All one year past their residency.This has happened to thousands of people since the beginning of this so called pandemic. All of it needs to stop!

02-10-2022

J C []

I have been denied medical treatment through the office of Kim Countryman, an Iowa Clinic radiology unit, specific Iowa Clinic specialty units, and all of the Iowa Clinic locations for what they described as failure to follow CDC requirements. I am unable to wear a mask due to medical and religious reasons, which I had explained. I was refused accommodations and medication that I was told I needed to take or I would die. The Iowa Clinic then had their attorney send me a formal letter stating I am banned from ALL locations and ALL providers. All of my specialists and records have been with the Iowa Clinic for more than 20 years. All of it is gone due to a 5x6" piece of fabric that has not been proven effective and for people like me, does more harm than good. I have been judged as unworthy of living due to my disability and beliefs.I also work at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (WFHM) who segregates employees based on vaccination status. WFHM requires all employees to disclose their vaccination status and requires covid testing for unvaccinated people. Unvaccinated people are required to wear masks at ALL times unless eating or drinking. Vaccinated people are free to choose. WFHM now requires all employees to register with an outside third party to monitor their covid status and the only tests WFHM will recognize is one specific test that they will supply in the office and all tests must be overnighted to this third party company (Color Health Org). WFHM requires all employees to sign an agreement allowing the Color Health to give WFHM our private information. I have been threatened with negative impacts to my position within the company if I fail to comply. WFHM sends out frequent communications inserting manipulative tactics to get people to comply such as: "vaccinating is the best way to show you love someone." A hostile work environment has been created. Now there are employees who want the company to have color coded security badges for the unvaccinated so they can be easily identified and reported for failing to wear a mask. People who try to request exemptions are required to answer questions about themselves AND any minor children in their home. Invasive, personal questions that have nothing to do with covid. All mandates need to stop. All exemption requirements need to stop. My freedoms were already granted to me through my Creator. Medical providers should not be free to refuse treatment. Businesses should not be free to dictate an employee's choices or how a person chooses to live. Will Iowa stand by and condone the narrative that only vaccinated people are allowed to work? Only the chosen are worthy of existence? Today, covid is the excuse. Tomorrow it could be a different excuse. What will the future hold by continuing to allow this precedence?

02-10-2022

Lyle Granzow []

Please pass HSB 647! The presidents executive order mandating these shots was an executive overreach. Then when employers enthusiastically applied this rule, they extended the governments overreach. Science is increasingly dispelling the notion that these types of mandates are necessary or helpful.

02-10-2022

Tracy Boyer []

I am writing in support of the HSB 647 bill. As an RN, I have always fully appreciated medical privacy & medical freedoms. This is so incredibly important to preserve for every person, no matter if they are in a hospital setting or in a workplace environment. Please protect our medical freedoms. Everything is at stake with this. Freedom must be paramount in every aspect. I have lost friends & loved ones who felt they had no choice but to take the injections, & they are no longer here to fight for medical freedom & privacy, so I am humbly doing so on their behalf & in their memory.

02-10-2022

Herring Marie []

I do not support this bill. Society needs to be able to rely on professional expertise for common safety. It is this expertise that allows for everyone to freely navigate as te public spaces. Thank you.

02-10-2022

Stacy Henryson []

I am writing in support of HSB 647. First, thank you for bringing this bill forward and for reading these comments. It requires bravery and risk of persecution even to have this conversation. Now is the time we need courageous leaders to stand up and ensure protections for all people. My employer is actively discriminating against employees who choose, for a number of reasons, to remain unvaccinated. A testing and masking program has been implemented only for unvaccinated. Science does not support this approach. Natural immunity is not considered. Individual healthcare situations are not considered. Personal beliefs are not considered and in fact dismissed. I have witnessed the company I once loved go from a culture of inclusiveness to a culture where people are one dimensional, either vaccinated or not. Lists have been made of employees who are unvaccinated. Employers should not have authority to coerce and intimidate employees into any medical treatment, testing or medical device (mask). It is inappropriate and arrogant. The Milgram experiment shows that 65% of people will harm others simply because an authority theyve never met before told them to. Employers either knowingly or unknowingly are causing harm to their workforce simply because they think they have the authority to do so. We need this bill to explicitly state the authority for medical decisions lies with the individual.

02-10-2022

Neal Schwager []

I support this bill. The company I work for is requiring a return to the office and anyone not vaccinated is required to wear a mask and test weekly. I know of several people that have had adverse reactions to the jab, but I dont think they have reported these to VAERS.

02-10-2022

Esther Huston []

Thank you for taking the time to read my comment on HSB 647. I am a mom of eight children and one grandchild. I was born in Iowa. I have always lived in Iowa. I have homeschooled for over 15 years. I take my rights seriously as a citizen of the United States. I still to this day get nervous and anxious anytime my children receive a vaccine. I sometimes even cry. But I know that the diseases my children are being vaccinated against were at one time major killers of children. There is a reason our mortality rates of children have gone down since the invention of vaccines. There is a reason that people with fewer resources in other countries beg and plead for vaccines, they save lives. This bill is not freedom. It is legislating oppression. America is founded on freedom. This bill would take away the freedom of businesses, school districts, healthcare systems, and individual homes to follow scientific evidencebased recommendations to save lives and stop infections that at one time may be much more deadly. If a person does not agree with an institutions policies, they have the right to leave and work for a company that has policies more consistent with their personal beliefs. That is their freedom of choice. If you do not want to wear a mask, find a place that does not have a mask requirement. There are many of those. That is their freedom of choice.If you do not want a vaccine, apply for a medical or religious exemption. That is freedom of choice in medical decisions. This bill goes too far. It takes away many freedoms for the convenience of the few. It goes against all scientific evidence. What if we just decide that we dont need rules and recommendations for pilots, heavy machine operators, nurses and doctors, teachers, educators, tax accounts, and other professions because we dont like it? That is what this bill would do for healthcare and the productivity of businesses. A cancer patient and transplant patient would be immediately at higher risk of death because a hospital and private residence cannot require the scientifically grounded advice to wear a mask around these patients to protect their deeply weakened immune system.The InformedChoice of Iowa recently had a conference. Their keynote speaker was Dr. Paul Thomas, an Oregon doctor who had his license suspended for the harm he caused a child which resulted in the childs hospitalization to intensive care. I have included links. It is concerning that most of the information presented at their conference was presented by people who profited personally from the information shared. https://www.modernhealthcare.com/physicians/pediatricianslicensesuspendedoregonovervaccines https://omb.oregon.gov/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationDetails.aspx?EntityID=1459035

02-10-2022

Rhonda Phillips []

I am in support of this bill. It doesn't take a genius to understand our Federal Government has run amok and is trampling our Constitution. The Nuremburg Code is still in effect and quite clear. But to further guard against governmental overreach this bill appears to fill any void and make clear that We The People will not stand for forced medical or experimental treatments being imposed upon our bodies.

02-10-2022

Jason Fath []

I stand in support of this bill. No one should be forced to put something inside of their body or fear being treated differently or of losing certain rights, abilities, and privileges otherwise afforded to vaccinated people, This is criminal. This is segregation, this is just not right. This is not what freedom is. Since covid vaccines work so well to protect people then let those who choose to have it have it, and let them be content with their own choice without trying to force their opinions on others who believe differently than they do. No one should be forced to give up there medical information. That is personal and private information, HIPPA laws should be inforced, and COVID should not be an exception. There is a lot of mounting medical evidence that covid vaccines can also have some devastating side effects such as blood clots and infertility.

02-10-2022

Shari Breiten []

I am writing in support of HSB 647. My employer has required we disclose our vaccination status, subject to disciplinary action, including termination. Anyone who is not vaccinated has been prohibited from traveling for business or meeting with clients. This results in discrimination as it limits career advancement since the unvaccinated are not allowed to participate in these activities.In addition, my company has announced that unvaccinated employees must test weekly and wear a mask at all times (except while eating). Vaccinated employees do not require testing and are not required to wear a mask unless they choose to. I do not believe these standards are based in science, nor do they protect workers in the workplace since the vaccinated can be infected and spread the virus. IIf the vaccine does help lessen symptoms, these individuals are less likely than the unvaccinated to know they are infected and hence more likely to bring the virus into the workplace. Lastly and most importantly, these protocols will unfairly communicate and differentiate between who has been vaccinated and whom has not, causing the unvaccinated to be treated differently or seen as unclean or a spreader of disease. This is reminiscent of how the Jews were initially treated. Are these protocols really different from being forced to wear a gold star?I respectfully ask that every Iowan is protected from this tyrannical overreach of our protected rights.

02-10-2022

Brook Easton []

I oppose this blatant antivaccine / antimask bill. As a small business owner, I want the freedom to tell my staff to wear a mask and get vaccinated. In the end, it will protect our staff (eliminate long absences) and keep our clients healthy so they can run their businesses.

02-10-2022

Claudia Starr []

I am required to test every week to maintain my employment with a local government agency. However, my colleagues who are vaccinated are not required to test. The CDC even admitted this week that the vaccines do NOT prevent the virus from being transmitted. Most of the people who have been diagnosed where I work with Covid were vaccinated. I have contacted higher management several times regarding their discriminatory testing policies and have received no response. I feel like an outcast at my place of work. Misinformation regarding the "science" of Covid 19, the variants, and the vaccines are given out as absolute science, when the research and the doctors worldwide do not support this information that has been spread by the mainstream media. The vaccines are dangerous and have serious adverse reactions and death. These mandates are clearly politically motivated and are unconstitutional. The class action lawsuits will come soon unless these illegal mandates are stopped. I support HSB 647

02-10-2022

Loras Schulte []

From Loras Schulte Exactly three months ago to this day (February 10th), I assumed I was coming down with the flu, and by the next morning I was sure I had. I immediately contacted my physician, and a home test I was able to procure, confirmed his belief that I had been infected with Covid. My doctor initially prescribed Ivermectin for me. Unfortunately, the pharmacy was out of it, so he changed my prescription to Hydroxychloroquine (both products are zinc ionophores). Within twenty hours of my first symptoms, I was able to start taking my medication, along with: zinc and vitamins D and C... several days later I was able to get my Ivermectin and took that along with the Hydroxychloroquine.I am very pleased to say that within five days I was back to feeling fine.Now, I have become aware that the physician who quickly, and so ably treated me, is being investigated by the Iowa Board of Medicine for his early treatment program for his Covid patients. How dare that government body, who doesn't know me from Adam, question the decision that I and my Doctor made; through threats and intimidation... this must ABSOLUTELY stop, and doctors must be able to get back to the job of practicing medicine. Sincerely, Loras Schulte

02-10-2022

Tia F []

Im writing to you to share my support of HS647. I have worked in the medical field for 15 years. Ive worked in healthcare as an office assistant, a CNA, and a home health care provider. I have also attended school for nursing as well as medical assisting. Medical freedom and privacy are currently non existent. I, (as many others), have been treated unfairly and worked in a hostile work environment because of the vaccine mandates. I was fired for refusing to share my vaccination status with my former employer, Unitypoint Health. Our chief medical officer sent out a video to employees stating we dont have time to wait to see if there are deleterious effects. We were bombarded with emails from our CEO,demanding employees to get vaccinated or face termination. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PhyRW1hkylM&feature=embimpwoyt https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Caw5jprdk8&feature=embimpwoyt Particularly after these videos, many of my friends/colleagues were shamed and ridiculed for their personal decision to not be vaccinated or share their status. Never in my 15 years, have I seen such division, down outright peer pressure and bullying from medical professionals. Our office was not given masks in the beginning of the pandemic because of the shortages. The community made our cloth masks that we wore until the shortages eased near the end of my employment. UPH, set up a Covid testing site in my building knowing we did not have proper PPE. It took them months to put plexiglass up on my desk. I once feared Covid. Unitypoints lackadaisical attitude cured me of that. I was exposed almost daily to Covid19, no vaccine, and subpar protection. While working with the testing site, then a vaccination clinic and co workers who came to work with symptoms, I never contracted Covid!I was once an upstanding, proud employee and was quickly discarded after going through the roughest employment of my life. Simply because I chose to not disclose my vaccination status. Please listen to the many healthcare professionals writing to you and speaking up! We have been observing for over two years now and made personal decisions based off real life experiences and encounters. Weve been instilled with many mission statements in healthcare. The oath first, do no harm and patient rights appear to no longer be part of healthcare standards. Healthcare workers are patients too and deserve the same respect theyve been trained to provide!

02-10-2022

Thomas McInerney []

Compelling any employee to take any current Covid19 vaccine violates federal and state law, and subjects the employer to substantial liability risk, including liability for any injury the employee may suffer from the vaccine. I support HSB 647 due to three key concerns: first, informed consent is the guiding light of all medicine, in accord with the Nuremberg Code of 1947; second, the Americans with Disabilities Act proscribes, punishes and penalizes employers who invasively inquire into their employees' medical status and then treat those employees differently based on their perceived medical status, as the many AIDS related cases of decades ago fully attest; and third, international law, Constitutional law, specific statutes and the common law of torts all forbid conditioning access to employment, education or public accommodations upon coerced, invasive medical examinations and treatment, unless the employer can fully provide objective, scientifically validated evidence of the threat from the employee and how no practicable alternative could possible suffice to mitigate such supposed public health threat and still perform the necessary essentials of employment. The availability of reasonable accommodations like accounting for prior infection, antibody testing, temperature checks, remote work, other forms of testing, and the like should suffice to meet any institutions needs in lieu of masks, public shaming, and forced injections of foreign substances into the body that the FDA admits we do not know the longterm effects of. Thank you.

02-10-2022

Sheryl Dolan []

The passage of this Bill is vital to complete the work the Legislature started with the earlier legislation banning mandates. A person's medical history is private in all other employment matters and this law is needed to protect privacy rights and protect workers' rights

02-10-2022

Jennifer Dane []

This bill needs to be passed. Immediately. A persons medical status is not the business of anyone other than the specific individual. Work places are discriminating against employees because of their vaccine status and this is affecting MANY people throughout the state negatively. People have lost their jobs and livelihoods, they are being treated differently than other employees, and its completely unacceptable this even started. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to know anything about my personal medical status or records. Unless a person chooses to share that information, there should never be an instance when it is required as a condition or employment, recreation, etc. Please do the right thing and stop this madness. Stop the allowed discrimination this is causing, and make Iowa get back to what we do best, take care of ourselves. Thank you.

02-10-2022

Elizabeth Wearin []

HSB 647 is an antivaccine bill which, if enacted, would endanger our communities. The COVID19 virus has caused illness and death in Iowa. Now that vaccines are available, the rate of serious illness and death has diminished. But this bill would also apply to vaccinations for other deadly and debilitating diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, chicken pox/shingles, etc. Today these diseases are rare because appropriate vaccinations are required for children to attend school, day care, camp, and by the military. Our community is protected by modern medicine.I oppose this bill.

02-10-2022

C S []

I'm proud to be an Iowan, I've thanked my lucky stars every day for the last two years to live in a state that doesn't treat the citizens like children. The fact that we have to pass this law at all sickens me. My employer has chosen to implement policy that discriminates against fellow employees based on medical status oh how quickly the world has become desensitized to madness. Please pass HSB 647, who would have ever thought it would be necessary to heal a population.

02-10-2022

Allison Bielenberg []

Reject this bill. Businesses and institutions should be allowed to set their own boundaries when it comes to the health and wellness of their employees based on medically and scientificallybased facts while the people they employ are in their buildings. The government shouldn't make this decision for them.

02-10-2022

Sheryl Schwager []

I am writing to support passage of HSB 647. No government entity should force me to comply with the government's health choices. No corporate entity should force me to comply with the corporation's health choices. Medical mandates violate my human rights. I have the inalienable right to decide what I put in my body, not governments and corporations. If we lose medical freedom, we lose all freedom.

02-10-2022

Rita Gergely []

I am opposed to this bill. Business should be able to require people entering their place of business to show proof of vaccination. Daycares, PK12, and colleges and universities currently require proof of immunization for several infectious diseases, such as measles. If measles broke out at one of these places, it would be worse than COVID because measles is more contagious than Omicron and is more likely to cause serious disease, birth defects,or death. Asking licensing boards or programs to police compliance is onerous. This is a terrible bill.

02-10-2022

Emily Forsyth []

I support HSB 647. If we dont stop this here, whats next? Where do we draw the line at protecting our own bodies? Grateful for your courageous actions in passing this bill on behalf of our great free state!

02-10-2022

Dave Pietan []

I am writing in support of HSB 647. Thanks to the courageous leaders standing up to our constitutional rights. My employer has decided its appropriate to discriminate against employees who for whatever reason decide not to get the COVID shots. This includes forced testing and forced masking for those who decide to not get the COVID shots. The company has admitted that ideally they would test everyone because both vaccinated and unvaccinated can get and spread the virus. They seem to only be requiring this to be done simply to punish the unvaccinated. Please pass this bill as it is necessary to stop this non scientific discrimination.

02-10-2022

Wendy Kruger []

We need to stop the tyranny! This has never been about protecting the American people. Its about ruining an election, proceeding with New World Order, and the Global Reset.OUR Government DOES NOT CARE about usDoctor Fauci announced yesterday that Covid is slowing down. That it will be left up to the states instead of a more Federal level.Of course it is slowing down, we have elections coming up. We have stripped our children of their identities and ability to relate to each other and show empathy through facial expressions. We have politicians posing with children maskless while children wear masks. Where is the outrage and common sense?!We have truckers (and rightly so) halting our supplies in the name of good. And where is Treadeau? Hes in hiding.We have a weak President who holds the nuclear codes but doesnt know what day of the week it is. All part of the plan for Harris.We have children being Indoctrinated and going to school with no history being taught, but led to believe they can marry a dolphin, or request a cat litter box as they identify as a catIt IS TIME TO STAND UP!

02-10-2022

Stephanie H []

I am emailing in support of HSB 647. Every individual deserves the right to their medical privacy. Many individuals have medical or religious exemptions to vaccines. Requiring individuals to disclose their medical or religious information is discrimination. This vaccine does not stop transmission or prevent you from getting the virus. Just as masks do not stop transmission or prevent you from getting the virus unless they are an N95 that has been fitted to you by a professional. The vaccine has created a large amount of division in our communities and it will only get worse if employers are allowed to access your medical information. I urge you to pass HSB647 and stop discrimination from continuing further. Natural immunity is superior to the vaccine and it is being completely disregarded by employers. I am tired of my son being discriminated against at work to due to his jab status. He works in a long term care facility and he has to test more times than workers that have received the jab. So he is singled out because of his choice not to jab. Please stop the mask nonsense in these facilities as well. He doesn't have direct patient care however he still has to mask. The federal government has made it difficult for these long term care facilities as they tie everything to the Medicare/Medicaid funding. That is terrible so these facilities feel like they have to comply. That is total bs.Please pass HB 647 to protect Iowans of the medical freedoms, privacy etc.Thanks

02-10-2022

Coreena Kinney []

I support this bill. Medical freedom is very important to me and my family. Discriminating against someone based on what medication they have purchased and used is not sensible and definitely not an American value. We all have a right to privacy, and we all have a right to make our own health care choices.

02-10-2022

Lynne Eddins []

Please support medical privacy and freedom. One of my children was excluded from therapy services for almost two years. Although we have recently found a place that will treat him without a mask he is still limited in what he is allowed to do and which equipment he is allowed to use. He does not have equal access to his doctor recommended treatment because of medical status. When he was 3 telehealth was offered as a reasonable accommodation. Needless to say, that didn't work.

02-10-2022

Dack Rouleau []

The right to medical privacy is paramount to any society predicated on equity and tolerance. Vaccination mandates are inimical to this and should be recognized as the unlawful discriminatory practices that they are.

02-10-2022

Chase Pals []

I am emailing in support of HSB 647. Last year, when biden announced what was essentially a vaccine mandate, the company I work for, Accenture, put into effect a jab policy of their own. It still remains in place as of 2/10/22. This policy fired any employee that would not get the jab and then upload their jab card to the company's HR software. In addition, if you got an exemption from the jab, you were subsequently barred from entering any of our offices, as well as any travel. This information SHOULD BE considered private medical information. Basically, Get the Jab, prove your virtue signally states by loading your jab card (which is no different than what the Nazis did to the Jews), or be discriminated against, is the new culture they have created. Due to the discrimination being experienced by myself, and a number of my peers, I am asking for your support in passing this bill to protect our medical freedoms. Thank you.

02-10-2022

Jackie Cordon []

So no vaccination requirements at all for kids to go to school? Back to the days of polio epidemics? This is obviously legislators more interested in raising funds for the elections than in protecting the health of our children. And refusing to let individual business owners control their own economic wellbeing? If people wont patronize my business because my staff isnt vaccinated, then too bad my rights are just gone? I cant require staff to fulfill basic safety protocols so I dont get a lawsuit if a super spreader event happens at my place of business? And whar happens to no shoes, no shirts, no service? I guess restaurants can take that sign off their doors.

02-10-2022

Mollie Moses []

In support of this bill. Tired of feeling the discrimination. A family member of mine felt she had no choice but to get the vaccine even though it went against her beliefs. I work at a school and if I were forced to get it I would probably just leave my job. It's unfair feeling like an outsider for your medical choices that are nobody's business

02-10-2022

emily Emily []

SUPPORT this bill."its just a mask" quickly became "its just a vaccine". our child thst has special needs once upon a time regularly received speech and occupational therapy from child serve. even with a medical exemption from his doctor they refused to make accommodations that worked for him so we were forced to stop therapy. our child also has a medical exemption for vaccines and we know all too well the discrimination that comes with not vaccinating a child even after they have been hurt by them. call VITAEin west des Moines and ask them why they kick children out of their practice when parents reduse to follow the cdc schedule when they have clearly seen that the child has had a severe adverse reaction to vaccines already. a persons medical history is theirs to keep private unless they want to give the information out. people infected with AIDS/HIV dont have to give out that information so why should anyone else be required to.

02-10-2022

Andrea Happel []

Please vote yes on HSB 647. My husband (who works 100% from home) faced losing his job or going against our spiritual convictions regarding our bodies. Removing medical autonomy and freedom of choice from citizens weakens us as a state and as a nation. Health is not onesizefitsall. Creating a culture of privilege for citizens who make one medical choice is contrary to our foundation of freedom. I urge you to take a stand for equal rights in the area of medical choice and vote yes on HSB 647.

02-10-2022

William Sadkovich []

I support this bill. Any politician who continues to support medical tyranny will be voted out and relegated to the dustbin of political history. Understand we're done being messed around. Do the right thing or kiss your career goodbye

02-10-2022

Leah Noble []

We are truly experiencing troubling times. I work at a nursing home, and just this past month I was told from HR to receive the covid vaccine, or I would be terminated unless I provide them with a vaccine exemption form. At my previous job, individuals (including myself) who werent vaccinated were expected to wear green stickers on their name tags at all times at work. Its these examples of our freedoms and privacy being removed from us is the reason why I fully support this bill. Lets all stand for what is right and allow our voices to be heard.

02-10-2022

Christine Rouleau []

Im commenting in support of HSB 647. Unfortunately we live in a time where we need laws to protect our right to medical privacy, and the state of Iowa needs to pass bills like these to protect the rights of their citizens. Medical tyranny has taken over this country these last two years and we must put protections in place NOW.

02-10-2022

Julie Scott [N/A]

Medical Freedom & Privacy Act needs to be put in place in Iowa. Medical decisions are NOT the same for each person, and should be a private and personal conversation/decision with their doctor. To require (force) people to get a vaccine for employment is a form of discrimination, and if we allow businesses to control employees in this matter where does it lead, when does it stop? Could they someday say a woman cant be pregnant if working for them? That she needs to get an abortion?? The absurdity of mandating or forcing someone to get a vaccine that is not approved, is still an experiment and has MANY reported adverse reactions with one being DEATH is very and totally unethical. Please pass the Medical Freedom & Privacy Act bill in Iowa. Honor those who have fought and have given their lives for our freedoms! And allow Iowa to be an example of FREEDOM to other states!!

02-10-2022

Laura Sherwin []

I oppose this proposed bill.It is an unnecessary antivaccine and antiscience bill that creates more problems than it solves.I think the bill has unintended consequences as well. For example, if a person is forced to give birth because the state has mandated that they are too far along in their pregnancy to abort, (forced medical care), how will this bill affect that? Can I sue the state? My body, my choice covers many situations.Please vote NO on this bill. It is vague and unnecessary. Thank you.

02-10-2022

Trenton Gingerich []

I support hsb647. We should have the right to our medical privacy. Also There are risks involved with getting a shot that has only been around for a mere year and has not been sufficiently tested. We deserve the right to make that decision, if it is worth the risk for ourselves.

02-10-2022

Tony Bassett []

Please support this bill. As an employee of a medical facility I dont feel it fair that I have to test or provide my information for exemption in order to retain my position. Employees that are vaccinated are still getting sick and are not required to test weekly

02-10-2022

Brooke Miller [Westview care center of Indianola]

I am in support of HSB 647. I have worked in long term care for 17 years, 15 at my current facility. Since the implementation of the vaccine program we have been bribed, guilted, coerced and relentlessly approached to comply with their wishes. Some gave in and a few of us did not. Since this time those of us who chose to exercise our freedom to choose and declined have been segregated and been the only ones required to test unless the facility was in outbreak status. Most recently following the Supreme Court ruling that ended the stay, staff was randomly given 3 different copies of letters listing items we had to agree to comply to should our exemption be approved. These ranged from limiting our large group activities/gathering in and outside of work, specific equipment, continued testing prior to each shift and N95 masks vs surgical masks to name a few. During this time we have been told that CMS is the one making the conditions which I have found to be fast upon investigation. Staff have also been told derogatory statements such as you were the one who chose not to get vaccinated when confronting administration and asking questions about why we must keep wearing N95 when in non outbreak status we are the only staff being forced to test and visitors to the facility can enter any area having unknown test status, unknown vaccine status and a surgical mask. I have asked for written copy of facility policy since they are to have a written policy in place and they had changed their conditions they wanted us to agree to 3 times. They still have not produced a copy of said policy and called to say my exemption was approved today but that I didnt address the agreement to wear an N95 which I had requested clarification on and I would have to agree to that prior to final approval. The conditions change on a daily basis, we are told we have to wear N95 because its the only way they can ensure they keep the residents safe, yet a majority of the last few months of outbreak status there have been VACCINATED employees not unvaccinated. If we are the only ones between visitors, vaccinated and unvaccinated employees who are having to test then we are tech the only ones they know arent sick and WE are the ones wearing the most PPE! I have a co worker who was told at one point SHE would have to tell the resident she was unvaccinated and make sure the resident was ok with her caring for them, this has since changed and rightfully so! This is abuse, this is discrimination, this is a violation of our rights and it must end now!!! Thank you for your time and consideration. I pray for those who are in the same situation. God Bless, Brooke

02-10-2022

Julie Scott [N/A]

I would also like to add that part of the Medical Freedom & Privacy Act should be NO testing and NO mask wearing requirements. If I person wants to they can, but Freedom means the right to choose! Please pass the Medical Freedom & Privacy Act for Iowa! Thank you!

02-10-2022

Sonja Brandt []

Vaccines have been used for decades very safely. Having them required for school is how we have been able to keep so many deadly diseases away from our children. Lets continue to keep our kids safe and help society be a safer place. Lets do our part by continuing with vaccines and when an appropriate time has passed add the COVID vaccines for schools too. I do not support this bill. There are too many vaccines that will slide and diseases that will start to creep back into our midst. Private employers should be allowed to make their own rules regarding having vaccinated employees. If an employee does not want to be vaccinated they can find another job where it is not required. As members of a society there are some things we do for the good of all and basic vaccines that are well established should be one of those things. Now may not be the time to add the COVID vaccine to that list, but it is certainly not the time to take others away.

02-10-2022

Kara Schneider []

I do not support this bill vaccines have been a major part of our history in enabling us to essentially eradicate numerous diseases. Vaccines are not political and shouldnt be made to seem that way. Vaccines are safe and effective and children have been required to have immunizations to be able to go to school for a LONG time. We shouldnt put an end to that and welcome sicknesses back into our community. Do not pass this bill.

02-10-2022

Mary Jones []

Please support this bill. As someone who has been through severely traumatic abuse in the past I cannot even begin to explain how devastating forced masking is to me and others who have been through similar situations. Let alone having to relive that abuse to explain to someone or some business or my employer why I can't wear something over my face. This bill doesn't stop anyone who wants to use a medical device or have a medical procedure done from doing so, it enforces that these are decisions to be left to an individual based on their free choice. Coercion is not consent and consent is needed for medical procedures. No one should be further abused because of something like this. If someone is uncomfortable because they are at higher risk they can still choose to have as many booster shots as they want and/or wear a higher grade mask to protect themselves. It is not reasonable to force medical procedures/devices onto others as an alternative to taking responsibility for one's own health.

02-10-2022

Lori Martin []

Please support HSB 647. Protect ALL Iowans rights to medical privacy and freedom to choose medical treatments. Previous bills have not gone far enough. We need complete protection of our medical privacy, for this current vaccine and it's mandates, and anything that comes in the future.

02-10-2022

Holly H []

Whether you choose to be vaccinated or not, it shouldnt be forced on you or held against you in anyway. You shouldnt be faced with this or lose your job. We dont require history of other vaccines, so why this one. This bill will help so many people. Please vote for this bill.

02-10-2022

Ashley Miller []

I support this because it supports our freedoms as American citizens. Masks and vaccines should be optional, NOT forced!! People are losing their jobs over this madness and the "science" has shown more and more how ineffective and ridiculous the masking and vaccines truly are. There are medical RISKS with the vaccine and that is being downplayed to support an agenda. It should all be a CHOICE.

02-10-2022

Monica Coy []

I support this bill. No one should feel cornered into taking an experimental gene therepy, for a virus with 99%+ survival rateand with several early treatments (that are being kept from us all). Some companies offer testing weekly and wearing a mask. That is like putting the yellow star on us, who choose not to partake in the experiment.Its not just for Covid, it could become everything. Please stop this intrusion in the lives of employees. We just want to do our jobs and live free. Leave our private lives out of the workplace..

02-10-2022

Susan Olesen []

Vaccines have kept me healthy most of my life. I stood in line in kindergarten to get a vaccination for polio. My grandmother had taken care of those with polio for which there was no cure for this horribly contagious disease. She was lucky that she did not contract it. I had measles in my childhood. My mother said I needed to stay in a dark room and I needed to be still so that I didnt lose my vision or hearing. I had chickenpox before there was a vaccine. My mother tried everything to keep me from itching. I still have scars from that unpleasant experience. The thing with these diseases is that if you dont get everybody vaccinated they stay around. There will be variants of COVID for a long time some deadly until most are vaccinated.. There was an enclave of wealthy parents in California who decided vaccines werent healthy for their children. Pretty soon they started to get measles. This isnt a political issue. This is a public health issue for children. Is your personal right to not vaccinate yourself worth the life of your parents, grandparents, or any person that you love? Many of who are against these vaccines also claim to be prolife, yet you are willing to risk our children getting ill so that you can claim you stood against vaccines. Please reconsider. Thank you.

02-10-2022

John Voight [formerly Collins Aerospace]

I am in support of HSB 647. Two weeks ago I was fired from my job at Collins Aerospace for not being religious. Let me explain. When Biden put out the mandate for defense contractors, there were two exemptions: medical and religious. I put my exemption in for a sincerely held moral belief. Since they could not identify a religion, they turned down my exemption and I was terminated. Had I lied and said I was religious, they would have approved the exemption. They are giving away those to most who request them.The background is this: my last performance review stated that I had saved a half billion dollar contract. This led to my nomination as engineer of the year. I was software lead for one of the boards used in fulfillment of that contract. I can work 100% remote and had been mostly remoting in for well over a year. I have had symptomatic covid and recovered from it. My challenge on the exemption was that they were acting as agents of Pres. Biden to do something he could not do himself and I cannot go along with this immoral and possibly illegal mandate. Furthermore, I pointed out the by only giving the religious an exemption they were discriminating under Title VII of the civil rights act.I am at a loss as to why some senior members of the republican caucus does not see this is a civil rights issue and support this bill. When Biden can coerce an employer to terminate good employees for no legitimate reason, that is something we should all resist. I've done my part, now you should do yours.

02-10-2022

Ken Adams []

Please support our medical privacy and freedom. Medical treatments and the disclosure of such should always be without coercion. As a working Iowan I value my body autonomy and my right to decline medical procedures on the basis of benefiting someone else.

02-10-2022

Deborah Thompson []

This bill isn't about freedom it's about anarchy. Weve been regulating shared space in the name of public protection since Moses brought the ten commandments down from Mt. Sinai. Vaccines have become an American health care tradition for generations now. Are we really going to be the generation of Iowans that unravels it or pretends that they haven't been effective? They are proving beyond a reasonable doubt to be effective in this pandemic, too. You're allowing misinformation and intentional disinformation campaigns to degrade the protection that has made historically common diseases uncommon and that will get us out of this current health crisis. Our Governor has asked us repeatedly to do the right thing and supporters of this bill have thumbed their noses at literally everything they have been asked to do. As Rep. Holt said on the floor of the House last year, no right is absolute. It's time for all tools in the toolkit to be considered as polite pleas are not working. Need proof? Ask the hospitals, federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, public health departments, and independent clinics who have begged for too long to be considered conscionable for Iowans to do the right thing. This bill is not helpful in any way, shape or form. You have done enough for this subsect of Iowans. Its time for the legislature to support the Iowans who have done the right thing all along. Thank you.

02-10-2022

Elizabeth Faber []

I urge our legislators to consider carefully the ramifications of this bill. Unintended consequences may cause harm to Iowans due to our health care providers being unable to collect a full patient history or maintain complete medical records. Vaccines are safe and effective. I urge you to continue to protect the health of Iowans by rejecting these bills and others designed to increase vaccine hesitancy.

02-10-2022

Tina DuBois []

I support science. I do NOT support this bill. We are able to have a healthy society because of public health actions taken by the generations before us. I support businesses, government entities, etc. making choices to protect the health of everyone. Vote NO.

02-10-2022

Benjamin Benjamin []

I am writing in support of this bill. It has become legal to discriminate against employees based on private medical information. I am in strong support of limiting schools access to records. Parents who dont want to subject children to the possibility of encephalitis (brain swelling) that can cause permanent brain damage resulting in life long disability that has been well documented but often dismissed by word play. Autism isnt caused by vaccines however vaccines can and sometimes due cause brain damage resulting in life long disability similar to autism. It is an individual right to make medical decisions for your self and your child. Under no circumstances is it ok for schools employers or even businesses to force personnel medical history that isnt a direct impediment to work dutys

02-10-2022

Robynn Garcia []

I have been reading the comments and agree with everyone who is in favor of HSB 647. I am blessed to be an independent health care practitioner, and have not had to face the challenges of some of my other fellow Iowans. However, I have been treating hundreds of patients for active Covid illness as well as Covid vaccine injuries using only supplements and patient education on self care because NO ONE will be honest and transparent about what is happening. It saddens me that medical doctors have had their hands tied behind their backs, or their medical license's threatened to appease tyrannical government officials that want to limit proper treatment of this illness as well as push experimental and unproven treatments as well as"vaccines" that DO NOT offer immunity. Our medical freedoms and body autonomy are at risk. We will be the eternal guinea pig for anything the pharmaceutical companies want to try on us without this protection. It is of great importance that you, our elected representatives, protect us from those that would seek to take away our freedom, rights, and liberties, as well as, cause us harm; physically, mentally and financially.

02-10-2022

Bethany N []

My husband works for a company here in Iowa, who requires specific in person training to get raises. With covid, these trainings were put off for the last two years. Earlier this week he received a phone call from his boss letting him know that the place where these trainings takes place, the only place these trainings take place, was requiring any class participants to be vaccinated for covid. When my husband let his boss know that he would not be getting vaccinated his boss said he would get back to him. He received another phone call the next day and suddenly he was being given the option to test instead of vaccination. BUT he would be staying in an entirely different hotel than the vaccinated participants and be required to find his own transportation to the mechanical training site. Cause that makes perfect sense. If my husband refuses to get the vaccine or be tested, he is ineligible for a raise and would be until he complied. A $2 raise he has been waiting for since covid hit. A $2 raise our one income family could really use right now. Sure my husband could find another job if absolutely necessary but I worry about our children too.Our oldest is vaccine injured. He had a stroke after his 2 month vaccines. One of the quote unquote FDA approved ones, one they quote unquote test for years. It cost him the vision in his left eye and his voice for the first 5 years of his life. And years of therapy trying to reverse the damage. Our youngest, is completely vaccine free because of her older brothers vaccine injury. What is going to happen when our kids are old enough to get jobs? Is my son going to be refused a job if he doesnt get the covid vaccine? Then what? What about our daughter, who doesnt have a single vaccine? Will she be able to get a job? Will she be forced to face the same fate as our son when it gets to that point? Our son has a medical exemption, but no one will write one for her since she herself is not vaccine injured. Make that make sense. You know how bad the worker shortage is right now, do you have any idea how much worse this will get if this continues for decades? People arent going to just comply. Our family wont at least. The risk of vaccine injury is too great for our family. Especially since if my husband complies and gets the vaccine, and ends up injured or killed. Then who will work? Who will raise and homeschool our children? I know a lot of the people testifying today are in the same exact boat as us. This bill passing and being in Iowa code will bring workers here. You and I both know it, the fight for medical freedom is here to stay, whether you like it or not. We the people, are fed up. We want the rights to our own bodies without the stupid incentives and consequences of not doing what the government tells us to. WE know what is best for our families, NOT the government or our employers.

02-10-2022

Frank Evans []

Please support this bill. It is hard to believe that forced medical procedures and forced medical devices for the protection of others is in anyone's best interest when we still aren't acknowledging natural immunity from covid 19 and we have made little to no acknowledged progress with early treatment options in 2 years. These are things that should be focused on BEFORE allowing Iowans to be stripped of their body autonomy.

02-10-2022

Robert Leonhard []

"Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Body autonomy is a nonnegotiable right, endowed upon us by God, not to be violated by unconstitutional edicts of tyrants. Forcing the population into a one size fits all medical procedure is a violation of our human rights and body autonomy. Allowing our government and our employers to violate our freedoms and medical privacy by jeopardizing our careers over forced medical procedures, and forcing the display of our private medical status infront of the world with purely symbollic masking is divisive, inhumane, and unconstitutional. We need this bill and more in place to prevent government and private tyranny against our freedoms and body autonomy. Your health decisions are an informed choice to be made between you and your doctor, not forced nor coerced by your government nor your employer.

02-10-2022

Mary A Stuart []

As a life long citizen of the state of Iowa, I strongly support HSB 647. We must protect the rights of every citizen of Iowa to make their own decisions regarding medical choices for themselves & their children and medical decisions must remain private between the medical provider & the patient. Why else have HIPPA regulations?

02-10-2022

Dawn Luedtke []

My personal story. One year ago I reluctantly got the vaccine under the impression that it would help me prevent from getting others sick. Because I rely on family for childcare during school breaks I thought it was the right thing to do despite my medical history. Unfortunately I had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine. Even though I am a healthcare worker I obviously have a medical exemption from further vaccination for Covid. The catchphrase is always follow the science follow the science. If you follow the science. This is what the Covid shot does. Maybe allows you to be contagious for a shorter period of time, in May prevent severe illness should you get Covid. But it does nothing to prevent you from transmitting the virus or getting the virus. So all these mandates are based on incomplete science.Because I have a medical exemption I am still able to work I am no different than someone who chooses not to be vaccinated. Because this Covid shot does not prevent illness and may prevent Severe illness, it is not a vaccine it is a treatment for Covid. There is no other illness in which companies and or the government forces treatment on people against their will. And not to mention all the people who have had Covid and have natural immunity. For some reason COVID is different in the eyes of so many people Related to natural immunity. I am someone who naturally contracted chickenpox. When the chickenpox vaccine came out there was an a mass vaccination as people who had it before needed to get the vaccine. Physicians recognize natural immunity. There are research studies that are coming out confirming natural immunity. There are plenty of credible scientists who believe that this vaccine its not necessary for people who have naturally contracted COVID19. If we as a state and as a country want to get this behind us we need to have honest conversations and not shut down those with a different ring opinion. Hospitals have fired perfectly great workers who worked throughout this pandemic without a vaccine and have devoted their careers and their lives to patient care. Now hospitals choose to be short staffed because as arbitrary rules that are based more on politics than science. I feel as a state of Iowa we are behind the game we should have Not allowed any private companies to mandate a treatment for a condition for the overwhelmingly amount of people who will get sick with nothing more than a cold or flu. Medical decision should be between the patient and the physician and nobody else should have a say in it.

02-10-2022

Lisa McClure []

I am emailing in support of HSB 647. People have a right to medical privacy. There are many reasons one might not choose a vaccine, and my body, my choice should not just be about abortions. If someone doesnt want those untried and tested chemicals in their body to wreck unknown havoc, they should have that right WITHOUT being discriminated against. Requiring people to show proof of vaccination compels the situation of disclosing their medical information. That is discrimination. There is no evidence that this vaccine keeps you from getting sick or transmitting the virus. This is similar to there not being enough evidence that the benefit of wearing a mask outweighs the risks. Please pass HSB647 and stop discrimination. Also, why is science overlooked in respect to the superior protection of natural immunity? That is companies choosing to be ignorant to try to force people to do what they want. Also, requiring employees to test is not scientifically supported. These test have been shown to be incredibly inaccurate. Many people have lost faith with all aspects of Covid and forcing them to submit to these policies is insulting. For example, the FDA had the test cycled at 40 + when the pandemic started. A while back I had even read that they cycled those that have not been vaccinated higher than those that were vaccinated to push a narrative. This has been a cluster. There is no trust in this politically driven science. This has been a fear mongering exercise to take control of the American people. There is no official communication of other treatments that are way more costeffective and also more effective. It looks like the drug companies just want to make a lot of money. And they have. Dont allow companies to support their nefarious objectives on the backs of Iowans. Focus on getting back to normal. Make sure Iowans stay free.

02-10-2022

Julie Wilkes []

We beg you to approve Bill 647 to protect our medical privacy and freedoms. If this freedom is taken from us, ALL the rest of our freedoms will soon follow. When I found out my employer was going to mandate the vaccine I turned to you. You told me to stand strong and hold the line, dont quit, call ALL our legislatures to voice my experience. I did just that, and it ALL failed me!! I, like many Iowans have been FIRED from my job that I love and excelled at! My medical exemption was DENIED even when it clearly states on the CDC website that I should not receive the vaccine. My religious exemption was DENIED and no reason was given to me by my employer. I begged for reasonable accommodations, for my strictly work from home job DENIED. I filed complaints with the EEOC and Iowa Civil rights commission I made many calls and sent many emails to ALL levels of government. Some of you pointed the finger at one another, while others stood strong, fighting for me and encouraging me every step of the way!! My husband and I attended the special session on October 5th to show our support. There were hundreds of us there supporting the bill regarding the vaccine mandates, to have you ignore it and turn your backs. Some of you mocking us by tweeting about all the antivaxer that are in the house today! Just for the record, I am not an antivaxer!! Remember we the people have elected you, it is time for you to stand up to this corrupt administration and do what is morally right, reread and uphold the oath you took to honor God and protect Iowans rights and freedoms before its too late. Thank you!

02-10-2022

Jeff Duitch []

I am writing concerning this bill that would ban any kind of vaccine mandates. It won't be easy for me to speak coherently about this but I shall try my best. I strongly think that this bill is cruel, horrific, and really dangerous!! If this bill passes and is signed into law God forbid, not only will the pandemic phase of Covid19 be prolonged even further in our great state of Iowa and increase the risk for more and worse COVID variants, but this will result in more Iowans getting infected more easily, more people that get infected having severe disease and Long Covid, more people that land in the hospital and put further strain on health care facilities, and end up resulting in more Iowans getting killed from this virus, and it would also significantly increase the risk for outbreaks of other infectious diseases that we've been able to manage and keep under control up until now. I myself have been fully vaccinated and boosted against Covid19, and I have to live with my parents since I do not have enough money to live on my own, my parents and I all have multiple underlying conditions that put us at high risk (ESPECIALLY my mom) for severe outcomes from Covid should we end up being infected God forbid. Because there are so many Iowans who won't wear masks in public indoor settings, get the Covid vaccines, etc....I have to be really careful with my social life while COVID rages on as a pandemic despite my being fully vaxxed and boosted where other than the parents and coworkers at the medical facility I work at; I'm limited to periodic get togethers outdoors (or inside a place where people will gladly wear masks) with friends who I know are fully vaccinated/boosted and masked up. The importance of public health and trying to keep an infectious disease under control should not be a partisan issue, and it makes me quite sad and angry that we have so many Iowans who are antivaxxers/antimaskers. I can understand the pandemic fatigue and how so many people are frustrated about the pandemic going on for two years; this is the first time in over a century that we've had an infectious disease of this magnitude which calls for masks, distancing, more people getting vaccinated,and in general "an all hands on deck" approach to dealing with this virus.Covid19 is so different from the regular flu or common cold in many ways and it's a completely different type of virus than just about every infectious disease we've had in our generation, our parents' generation, and even our grandparents generation. So many epidemiologists, public health experts, etc... believe that the Omicron form of Covid19 is the 2nd most contagious disease we've ever had with only measles being more contagious. There are way too many people who have been brainwashed and led to believe the lies, misinformation, and conspiracy theories concerning Covid19, the vaccines, masks, and other pandemic mitigation measures; and the ironic thing is that many of these antivaxxers/antimaskers claim and whine about how they do care about others. The disinformation and conspiracy theories about COVID, etc...are coming from multiple sources all at once.To make matters with this pandemic worse, a number of these people, (especially a significant number of chiropractors and wellness influencers) even "blame the victim" whenever someone does get COVID 19 and especially when someone gets Long COVID, gets hospitalized, and/or dies from COVID 19; these anti vaxxers will sometimes make claims beyond "Natural Immunity is always much better!!" such as "Well it's that person's fault they had severe outcomes, hospitalization, or death from the virus. They could have prevented this and boosted their immune system by eating a real food diet with no processed foods and no junk foods, limiting added sugar or refined carbs, getting plenty of sleep, getting exercise, getting sunshine, standing up more and sitting less, taking Vitamin D3, managing stress, etc....." I personally know of several friends or their relatives who have eaten healthy, getting exert, getting enough sleep, etc.. who not only got Covid from others who have refused to get vaccinated, etc...; but such people have had really severe outcomes from getting the virus including being killed. I never thought in my lifetime that we would ever have so many people (especially in the United States) who reject evidence based medicine and actual science, who fall for the disinformation and conspiracy theories concerning Covid19/the vaccines/other public health mitigation measures peddled by so many in the alternative medicine community, who reject germ theory, and who have an attitude of "I'm not responsible for the health of others at all!!". So I beg you to please, please not pass this deadly and dangerous law. Thank you very much for your time and for listening to me.

02-10-2022

Nancy Halls []

This bill would lead directly to the serious illness and death of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Iowans, most of them children.Have you ever seen a child with diptheria? Prior to the development of the diptheria vaccine (which is currently required for children in public schools), this highly transmissible viral illness was one of the leading causes of child deaths in the US and around the world.The virus kills health tissues in the respiratory tracts, causing the victim to eventually strangle on the dead tissues lining her throat and sinuses. Before the development of the vaccine, this illness was known as "The Strangler." Anyone who support this heinous, deadly legislation should be forced to sit with a small child as he or she dies from a horrible, painful, frightening and completely unnecessary death like this.Do you people actually have any idea at all what you're doing other than pandering to ignorance, promoting division and mistrust, and actively propagating the disinformation campaigns being waged against our nation by hostile foreign governments?I have thought that some Iowa legislators were unfit for office; this proposed legislation makes me think some of you are actively working to destroy our state, our people and our nation.WHY???Are you so wrapped up in your own greed and power that you would sentence Iowa children to death in service of those things?

02-10-2022

Nancy Halls []

Clearly, there has been an organized effort to induce folks to comment here in support of this bill. Far too many comments using same language, same rhetoric, sometimes the exact same phrases.If there is anyone left in the statehouse who actually understands and supports evidencebased practices, please, please, please put a stop to this deadly effort to needlessly expose our children to easily preventable diseases like pertussis, diptheria, measles, mumps, rubella and others. The damage this kind of legislative pandering to a political base can and will do to our children is unthinkable. Not to mention the fact that dictating what practices private businesses can implement to protect the health and welfare of their employees is an enormous overreach of governmental power. You will cause illness, death and permanent disability on an unimaginable scale and for what?

02-10-2022

Rebecca Shattuck []

This bill is bad for Iowa. Businesses should have the right to require vaccinations to protect their workers. Further, the courts have ruled that businesses and schools have the right to require vaccines to protect workers and students. There is no reason to pass this antivaccine bill. It's bad for everyone.

02-10-2022

Christina Downey []

Can we lease stop attacking our teachers and public education? If parents want to have a bigger say in their childs education they should sit down and help them with their homework. Maybe attend a parent teacher conference. Volunteer in their classrooms. This constant micromanaging and criminalizing out educators is going to cost Iowa our education systems. Children can get a hold of inappropriate material on their computer, phone, tv, or tablet. No reacher is trying to corrupt a child. We need to stand with our educators not against them.

02-10-2022

Christina Downey []

I run a child care out of my home. Telling me what I can and can not require in my private business is not okay. I have the right to demand safe guards are taken for the children in my program. I do not support this bill.

02-10-2022

Mary Henderson []

for heaven's sake...a pandemic is a pandemic. This is SCIENCE. if a pandemic can be curbed and contained by inoculations and testing and sharing information to help people be safe, then do the right thing, do the SANE thing, the smart thing, and allow employers to create a safe and healthy environment for their workers. this shouldn't even be a "thing."

02-10-2022

Mary Jane Woodman []

I and my husband are adamantly opposed to this bill under consideration. We have always needed to take precautions against Covid outbreaks and this bill is precisely what kind of thinking that is responsible for thousands of Iowa deaths in order to make a politically driven and careless Republican rhetoric. STOP THE BULL!!!

02-11-2022

Gabby Fistler []

I am a school board member, a freedom fighter and a mother. I am very much in support of HSB647. It wasnt very long ago that OSHA was attempting to mandate vaccinations on all businesses over 100 employees. Our school district as well as many others throughout the state are already under an extreme staff shortage. When we were discussing the OSHA mandate I had numerous staff members reach out to me saying they would quit their jobs before they would get vaccinated, wear a mask or complete asymptotic testing. This loss would put the school in an even larger predicament to continue to educate our students, provide them nourishment, a clean faculty to attend and transportation to and from school as well as to different school activities. Our schools mission statement is to provide excellence in education so that each student will discover lifelong learning and become a selfrespecting contributing adult member of society. It is not part of our mission as school board members to be mandating our employees to what they should and should not be putting in their bodies. It is also not my role to be telling parents what their children should or should not be putting in their bodies. I am not a doctor but I do know there is not a one size fits all medicine that is safe and effective for every person. Every parent and staff member should have the right to sit down with their medical provider and weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision of what is best for their children and their families.This bill is not preventing anyone that chooses to get vaccinated to get vaccinated or anyone that chooses to wear a mask to wear a mask. This bill is protecting those people that have underlying health conditions, that are worried about infertility, that have had adverse effects to other vaccines in the past, have a strongly held religious belief or that have done the research and decided the risk outweighs the reward. The bill that passed last fall looked good in the headlines but it isnt stopping individuals frombeing discriminated against for their medical decisions. I have many friends that have had to jump through hoops to get an exemption and still have to wear a mask and asymptomatic test regularly. I want to thank you all for your time that you have put forth on this bill and for listening to all of the people that have come out to say we are done with the mandates and it is time to stand up and to make Iowa a free state.

02-11-2022

Amanda Zenner []

I do not support this bill. My child is immunocompromised and with a chronic health condition. He had a heart transplant so he could live life. Bills like this enfringe on his ability to do just that.

02-11-2022

THERESA DUNNINGTON []

I support this bill 100%, in fact it should be strengthened. No employer should get to make personal medical decisions for workers and coerce or threaten employees with the loss of their job. No employer should force disclosure of private religious or medical information. It is unamerican. You could be a great performer at work and be fired merely because you make a different decision for whatever reason, which is NONE Of ANYONE ELSE'S BUSINESS. This is incredibly wrong. Those who want to take 10 shots and wear masks that obstruct their breathing and signal submission to "science" (magic) are free to do so, we want the same freedom to NOT do this. You must pass this bill. Employers should get punitive damages for violating civil rights.

02-11-2022

Haleigh Eason []

I am in favor of HSB 647 and strongly urge you to pass this into law. Iowans need medical privacy and freedom and right now we are seeing coercion, censorship, discrimination, segregation and division everywhere in Iowa. This bill is clean and simple and is for freedom and choice. HSB 647 is about human rights, civil rights and privacy rights it seeks to prevent discrimination and segregation against those who choose medical treatments differently. If passed this would officially make any form of discrimination on medical treatments or vaccination status a discrimination that Iowa will not tolerate. it will help codify these rights to Iowans and help with future conflicts and keep conflicts out of court. The issue of vaccine mandates attack many iowans core values and rights. No person should be coerced or forced into doing something that goes against their personal religious beliefs and rights as an individual. I should have the right to have the choice of what goes into my own body without being segregated or discriminated against. I urge Iowa to lead with Freedom and pass the Medical Privacy and Freedom Act!

02-11-2022

CARLA BARNHART []

Please do NOT vote in favor of this billcompletely wrong and goes against many people who are immunosuppressed. This information is not a PRIVACY issue this information is a SAFETY issue. Thankyou for your consideration.

02-11-2022

Shantel Ternes []

I strongly support HSB647. Please vote in favor of this bill! Our personal health choices should be a private matter. We cannot presume to know everyones health backgrounds or why they may choose to support or refuse a certain medical procedure or treatment. Any generalized medical mandate is a very dangerous thing. I am currently studying the American Revolution with my children and have been reminded on a daily basis of the sacrifices that were made to make us a free people. There is a reason our state motto is, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. If we do not even have the right to decide what is injected into our bodies, how can we possibly still claim to be free?

02-11-2022

Laura McCann []

My employer has just announced our new return to office date to be March 14. The only option they are providing for testing in lieu of vaccination is through Color inc. As I create an account with them, I have to accept their terms and conditions which state the following: "from the saliva or blood sample, we'll sequence genes for the product you are using, as well as for future products you may want to use. We'll also do low low coverage sequencing of your whole genome, which can support Color Discovery, research and other products and services". Nowhere does it state how this is related to PCR tests through them, but the reality is that they would have access to my DNA, and could use it per the terms and conditions they have you accept.I am certain that is illegal for an employer to request genetic data from an employee, and furthermore to use it to discriminate against an employee. This law you are proposing would be the only thing that would peacefully make an employer stop abusing their power against their employee, and ensure the employees freedom and rights are protected.Thank for taking these steps.

02-11-2022

Laura McCann []

02-11-2022

Katherine Mitchell []

The vaccines are undertested and ineffective. Requiring us to disclose our private medical status regarding an experimental mRNA therapy is against our personal rights. Many people who are fully vaccinate are contracting the virus. It is now known that natural immunity is stronger at protecting us from the virus, yet no companies are acknowledging this, and allowing for exemptions for those with natural immunity. No one should feel pressured by anyone to be subjected to anything they do not want in their bodies. We are not cattle, and these employers are not our ranchers. The Primary purpose of the US government is to protect our freedom and rights. Let's be a state on the correct side of history, and do the right thing for the citizens of Iowa!!

02-11-2022

Greg Birkhofer []

Medical freedom of choice, free from coercion and discrimination is fundamental for a free and open society to functional properly. Please support this bill, its passage could help lead the way for other states in the US to follow. Failure to provide clear state law on this important subject will leave a vacuum that will continue to be filled by corporate high hats making discriminating health policy as they see fit.

02-11-2022

Dave Bowers []

I am in support of this bill to start protecting our right to choose and our privacy. I realize that our government has been working hard to throw out our hippa rights because of this being a pandemic. There seems to be no regard for those of us who have had this virus and recovered with what appears to be more immunity than the vaccine, and how many shots will be needed to make these people happy. This has gone on long enough and hopefully people will express their feelings when it is time to vote.

02-11-2022

Sarah Grupen []

Please support the Medical Privacy & Freedom Act (HSB 647) in Iowa. I value my privacy and believe in the sovereign right over my own body. We must be able to make personal medical decisions free from coercion. This bill doesn't prevent anyone from protecting themselves against an infectious disease (or advocating others to do so as well) but it does protect individuals from being forced to submit to what others have decided is the only way to accomplish public safety. Where there is risk there must be choice!

02-12-2022

Jason Chase []

I do not approve of this bill. Vaccination is not just about personal health, but is and always has been about protecting society. Vaccines are not new, nor is their importance in protecting against widespread disease. Schools have always been able to verify vaccination status of children. Hospitals have always been able to verify vaccination status on a number of additional illnesses. It is a matter of safety, hands down.

02-12-2022

Halli Hawkinson []

Please support this bill. I'm work in healthcare and have been discriminated against. We are severely under staffed because the media fear mongers people into believing that covid is deadly. Healthy people do not die from covid. Most of us have not been injected with the experimental mRNA biological gene therapy. We have natural immunity from working around covid for the last two years. Non of us have been killed or even hurt by covid. Due to the current CMS bill, alot of healthcare workers have been fired so that large companies can make profit on Medicare and Medicaid billing. We healthcare workers have sacrificed the last two years of our life to help thousands of people survive because that is what we do. We stepped up. Now we are being forced to take a shot that we already have natural immunity to, which can cause more side effects than the virus itself. Without us healthcare workers, the entire system that thousands depend on will crash. Pharmacies, hospitals, fire departments, EMT workers, truckers, grocery store workers, everyone that helped during a time the general public stayed home because of fear would be punished after the sacrifice we made to help. If this bill doesn't pass, good luck to everyone. If you get into a car crash, don't expect there to be enough people "vaccinated" to help get you to a hospital or care in the ER. If you go hungry because the shelves are empty, that's because there won't be enough"vaccinated" truckers on the road bringing it. We have the right to choose to take an experimental mRNA gene therapy or not without being discriminated against.

02-12-2022

Ryan Renze []

I support HSB 647 Medical Privacy and Freedom Act and the proposed amendment supporting doctors in what seems like a modernday witch hunt. If passed, this bill would require employers and businesses to treat everyone equally, regardless of their personal and private medical choice. Without a bill like this, employers and businesses can legally discriminate against their employees and the public because an individual's vaccine status isnt a protected class and making questionable policies that only apply to that group is somehow appropriate? I believe history wont look kindly at how parts of this pandemic were handled and who voted for or against them. Can you imagine the outrage if companies required all employees to report if they have HIV, hepatitis, or any other bloodborne pathogens and then made it a requirement that they must wear rubber gloves at work to ensure the safety of their coworkers? I understand all the flaws in such a policy, but if this bill doesn't pass, where does it end? Without protections included in this bill, why not require all employees to take a personality and mental stability test, and if found to have a propensity to exhibit aggressive behaviors, they must wear something symbolizing that, if prompted, could present a risk to people around them? Ive noticed many of the comments opposing this bill mention protecting the immunocompromised. What if everyone with that condition was REQUIRED to wear a sign letting the public know their health status so people can give them extra space and be more cautious? Im sure that would cause outrage too because it is somehow different when its the unvaccinated. Its a slippery slope when viewed through that Orwellian lens. These are not Iowa values and how Iowans should be treated. Passing this bill makes it so companies cannot discriminate and force employees to do something that should be a private personal choice between them and their doctor. As pointed out multiple times at the subcommittee hearing on Thursday, there are a lot of other states looking to us to pass this bill and apply it to their legislation. If you are reading this comment and havent commented yourself yet, please take a moment and do so.

02-12-2022

Jeff Fahrmann []

I was not able to attend the subcommittee meeting last Thursday to provide comment in person, so am submitting comments here in support of HSB 647. My employer of 22+ years has mandated all employees receive the COVID19 vaccine with the threat of disciplinary action up to and including termination. Several coworkers and I have been unfairly subjected to this mandate against our own personal consciences. My employer offered a process for submitting exemption requests, but those who submitted these requests have been in limbo for the last two months without any final decisions. Exemption accommodation approvals are always temporary and can be changed at any time, meaning that employees will continually have the worry that any approval of accommodations is rescinded. Employees should never be forced to provide their private medical information in the first place. Exemption accommodations (frequent testing, masks, social distancing) for religious exemptions are also very discriminatory. Why should Iowans be treated differently because their religious beliefs prohibit them from receiving these vaccines? In addition to religious liberty concerns, we are learning more every day about the efficacy of the vaccines and their inability to prevent transmission. What logic is there in mandating a vaccine that does little (if anything) to prevent transmission? At this point, shouldn't we trust Iowans to make the best decision for their own personal health? If we are confident in the efficacy of the vaccines, shouldn't we trust that the vaccines will protect those who want to take them rather than force injections of vaccines that fail to prevent transmission? I am a life long Iowan. I never imagined that in this state we would be forced to put something into our bodies with the threat of losing our livelihood. The state motto is "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Please use the authority that Iowans have given you to stand up for these personal liberties that are professed in our state's motto. Your actions with this proposed bill will show us whether you prioritize rights of businesses over individuals. You have already shown an ability to force businesses to do something against their will by mandating that gas stations sell 15% ethanol gasolines. How is protecting individual medical freedoms from private businesses any different? Please do the right thing and protect our freedoms by moving this bill forward for passage. We need this bill to prevent this from ever happening again. Thank you.

02-12-2022

Tim Andrews []

My current employer requires us to register our current health conditions using the Envoy app. They also require an extra 5 day quarantine if you test positive. All of which in unpaid unless you wanna use PTO or take a chance on unemployment. They were going to require proof of vaccination unless you wanted to pay weekly to get tested. The at home tests weren't an option. Please pass HSB 647.

02-12-2022

Brian Meeker []

I quote verbatim from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Mandatory Harrassment training for staff in 2022. Maybe some elected officials or journalists can look into it. The training scenario is an insensitive employee asks a female coworker how she became pregnant since she is married to another woman. Here is the correct answer, again verbatim"Just as with other aspects of identity, medical information is personal and private. However sometimes people are curious and ask inappropriate questions"With a straight face, this is actual training required by UIHC employees while at the same time they are forced to disclose extremely private and personal medical and religious information which will apparently be maintained forever. What a joke. Please stand up for individual liberty and pass HSB 647 without delay. Those who are so afraid can wear 2 masks if they want to, same effect as me wearing one, right? Pass this bill, or kiss what freedom we have left good bye.

02-12-2022

Jessica Franzen [Anthem]

I am in support of this bill 100%. I lost a job with Amerigroup Iowa in October 2021 due to a vaccine mandate. I was fortunate enough to secure other employment right away but that was not everyone's case. Medical Freedom is important and Iowa needs to lead the way.

02-12-2022

Sonia Schumacher []

My husbands medical exemption was not accepted after he had brain surgery last year. He is the main provider for our family and his company would not ALDI with him at all.Medical freedom is a basic human right. Where is the right and the left with the famous saying, my body my choice??? This is an infringement on our personal liberties and medical freedom. Please please protect Iowans right.

02-12-2022

Tina McDonald [Worthy Renovations]

Close your eyes and picture the children, muzzled in those masks. Stare in their sad eyes, the frightened eyes, the emotionless faces of the last two years. Is this what they deserve? This bill does not impact the fate of all adults, but that of the children we are to protect. Protect their minds, their bodies, and their future. As you cast your vote, remember that image of the masked children and ask yourself, what can I do to protect their freedoms. Remove the politics, money, and control. Make a choice that will allow you to sleep peacefully at night. Vote for bill HSB 647.

02-12-2022

Kathy Mingus []

I believe all medical history should be private. At my employer they were requiring us to report our vaccine status. Several times I tried to ignore their request and avoid it. I was concerned about discrimination towards me for my vaccine status, as well as providing a religious exemption and being discriminated against for my faith as well. Luckily OSHA mandates didnt get pushed through. But I was still afraid of losing my job and feeling backed into a corner. I provided a letter to my employer stating I wasnt refusing to get vaccinated. The letter asked my employer to assume all liability and they would be responsible if I was injured, or died by providing insurance, long term disability, short term disability, and reimbursement of medical billls and income loss.I was told to provide the paperwork once OSHA and Supreme Court decide. I couldnt eat, sleep, or perform my duties to the best of my ability under the pressure of fear of losing my job, or being discriminated against. But I was still required and it was mandatory to provide our vaccine status. This is against HIPPA. Luckily I was able to get a different job at a smaller company that didnt require it. Of course, then Biden started advocating for small businesses to enforce the vaccines. Luckily that still hasnt happened. Unfortunately my daughter and son have taken the vaccine for work and college. Im very disheartened with that as the vaccines are unsafe and now I worry daily about their health. Our government is to work for us (the people) and protect us, our freedoms, and privacy. They should do what they took an oath to do. I pray they make the right decision for We the People .

02-13-2022

Tamie Stahl []

Our TestimonialMy husband is a long time practicing Optometrist. I worked alongside him for 17 yrs. We are involved in several social community groups and organizations. A few of the groups have decided that only the vaccinated would be allowed to participate. Another group mandates those not vaccinated must wear masks. As a couple we made the decision to keep our vaccination status private and not to participate with groups that discriminate. One of these groups obviously organized and multiple people called or came into our office in one morning demanding to be told my husbands vaccination status. They wanted to use this information to decide if they were going to continue to see him professionally but also to inform others for social gathering lists. I have even been cornered and in public scolded for not releasing our vaccination status. Our Veterinarian discontinued caring for our pets because we would not release our vaccination status. No general patients have ever called or questioned this issue. Only friends. This is sad for us. Unfortunately our teenaged grandchildren are experiencing similar issues in their pier groups. It is causing great mental stress which I fear will have longterm and serious lasting effects. Please help stop the discriminationDr Jerry and Tamie Stahl

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02-13-2022

Regan Hage []

Im writing in support of this bill. You cannot approach health care decisions, especially ones with RISK, such as vaccines as a one size fits all. This needs to be a CHOICE made after the patient has been given all the information and talked with their doctor. That choice is eliminated when you threaten peoples livelihood if they dont make it. A close family member of mine was forced to leave her job as a nurse after TWENTY YEARS because of discrimination from not being vaccinated. This not only effected her but our already hurting medical staff. This needs to end.

02-13-2022

Sheri Hart []

Hello, my name is Sheri Hart. I am a registered fulltime sonographer (ultrasound technologist). I am registered in multiple specialties. I have great pride and experience in the exams that I perform. Since 1992, I have worked in various Iowa hospitals and clinics, this summer will be 30 years in my career *God willing. Throughout 2020, when Covid 19 first hit, I worked in a hospital caring for patients including those positive for Covid. I personally became sick and recovered from Covid 19 in November 2020. Initially, during vaccine rollout, I declined the vaccine as I was still in the 90 day recovery period and *due to a message from God during my recovery. Now that I have introduced myself, I would like to share about the struggles of this last year 2021: In Feb 2021, I transitioned from hospital work to a fulltime position providing mobile ultrasound onsite at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, jails, and prisons. Each week, I have been required to be tested either weekly or twice weekly, even when I have no symptoms and no illness. My weekly and twice weekly testing results are reported to all facilities that we are contracted with, roughly 70 facilities throughout Iowa. *My personal medical information is regularly released. When I enter nursing home facilities, I am screened at the door and I am required to wear a mask while inside.This screening process includes questions about current symptoms, about recent travel, and about my vaccination status. This happens multiple times a day in a public space in the entryway with other medical and nonmedical people within earshot.*Multiple times a day, I am publically asked if I am vaccinated. At that point, in some facilities, I am required to wear an N95 mask for the duration of the visit while other staff are wearing surgical masks. Despite 100s of studies, *including a study released in January of this year *by the CDC, that have shown that *my natural immunity makes me less of a risk in transmitting the virus to a facility resident than a vaccinated employee Yet, all that counts is whether or not I have consented or been coerced into a shot that I do not need.*This is discrimination. During the summer of 2021, I began receiving increasing pressure from my employer to get vaccinated, one might use the term harassed. My manager told me in person that I wouldn't be able to work anywhere in the medical field if I did not. My manager sent emails with lists of coworkers names of who was vaccinated and who was not. *Yes, you heard me correct, I received my coworkers' personal health information. I was given deadlines to be vaccinated by *or else. When I asked for a religious exemption, initially, my employer sent out an email with a lengthy questionnaire asking employees invasive questions regarding their religious beliefs and stated that those of us requesting a religious exemption would be subject to a conference with human resources, various Vice Presidents and the President of the company. The employer stated that we would need to come to this conference with our history of past vaccinations,any and all current and past medications And all over the counter medicines we had *ever used. We were to validate why we had taken those prior vaccinations and medications and how this vaccination was different, how our religious beliefs had allowed those and not this one. They were then going to decide if our religious beliefs met some unknown standard, they were going to decide IF our religious exemptions were going to be accepted. *This is religious discrimination. Thankfully, Iowa passed HF 902 in October before my conference was scheduled.I forwarded the HF 902 bill to my employer and made them aware that I did not believe that those invasive questions and said conference were in line with what Iowa's legislature had passed. In standing up for my beliefs in this way, the company accepted a written religious exemption and I was able to stay employed, but it did cost me. You should know that I had been hired in preparation to become a regional supervisor when my direct supervisor was set to retire in August. When the company realized that I was not going to be vaccinated, they gave the supervisor position to someone else. *This is discrimination. Currently, the company is short staffed in Iowa and refuses to interview unvaccinated applicants. I am not the only one suffering from these discriminations. There are many others in our company in Iowa who are in this with me. There are yet others who did take the vaccine under duress because they need their job. Following all these exchanges with my employer, I began looking at my options.I decided that I must spread out my risk of unemployment. I now work three part time jobs as a sonographer so that if I am terminated from one position, I will still have employment through two others. One of my other positions has not made a mandate at this point, thankfully! However, they have sent out surveys asking what it would take to get the rest of the staff vaccinated which sadly may indicate that they are considering a mandate.That employer has vaccinated employees affix a sticker to their name badge which indicates their vaccinated status and therefore indicating the status of the unvaccinated by the absence of the sticker.My third employer also has a mandate. I have submitted religious exemption paperwork through HR twice, including once* this week. I'm tired.I'm tired of fighting for my rights. I'm tired of explaining. The question isn't *when I will be coerced, the question isn't *when will they convince me, the question *is when will I leave my career. When is enough, enough. Legislators As you are making these decisions and voting for Iowans freedoms, you need to ask yourself Do you want fewer healthcare workers in fields that already have employee shortages? Do you want only workers who are only there because their finances are such that they NEED that job?Do you want dedicated, experienced staff to continue in their positions in their field?Do you want fewer services for our elderly?Why is there no discussion of natural immunity? Despite 100's of articles released regarding this, including the study in the weekly report released by the CDC two weeks ago on Jan 28, 2022What kind of state do we want to live in? A state who allows discrimination? Is it acceptable to discriminate due to other health situations such as if someone is HIV positive? If one has diabetes? If one abuses drugs or alcohol? If someone has lung cancer from smoking for 30 years?Do Iowans have a right to privacy of their personal medical information? Do I?Do we want Iowa to be like Montana or California?I solemnly ask you to please protect Iowans privacy and protect us from discrimination, protect people like me. Respectfully,Sheri Hart RDMS, RDCS, RVTMarshalltown, Iowa

02-13-2022

Jennifer Smith []

My daughter has had a seizure from a vaccine back in 2005 with any risks there should be choice not mandates for job and mask as mask have done more harm than good. They are our children we know what is best not government over reach.

02-13-2022

Julie Knox []

We were denied service at MedPharm Iowa in Windsor Heights earlier in the pandemic. I went into their establishment without a mask. No one in the store, employees behind the ever so safe plexiglass and was essentially yelled at I will not sell you products without a mask. So, I pulled out my handmade mask from a doily (with visible holes) and they sold me product.

02-13-2022

Holly Reid []

I am writing to encourage support of this bill to protect our freedoms. As a worker and mother I wholeheartedly believe in the freedom to decide on what is the best treatment for my family and personal self for any type of drug/food/vaccine and that should not have to be put on public display. I personally know several people who have suffered cardiac arrest, permanent heart damage, etc. after their second dose of the vaccine and their lifes have been forever negatively impacted. Its not on the news but it IS happening. Furthermore the vaccine has clearly been ineffective. As a worker in the metro I have faced discrimination for not disclosing my vaccine status, banned from projects that require vaccination cards and treated differently for keeping my medical business private. Is this America? Is this the country that blood was shed for in the name of freedom? Please pass this bill to protect the land of the free!

02-13-2022

SAMANTHA FETT []

My name is Samantha, and I am here to simply give a perspective from how an average family is struggling with the attempts by government and private entities to overstep their power and violate the privacy of Iowans. My experience with an Iowa employer that believes they are doing the right thing, but instead has ostracized employees and has created an atmosphere of fear and chaos. At this Iowa employer, employees are encouraged to get a vaccine, not required. Seems fair to give personal choice, however, if you did receive the vaccine and show proof, you get a specialcolored bracelet that you can wear around in the office. Badge of honor I suppose. (Pause) Those that wear the bracelet, do not have to wear masks or social distance. Those without a bracelet do need to wear a mask and social distance from others. They are actively separating employees into two groups, vaccinated or non vaccinated medical information openly on display. All this while simultaneously conducting training on how to be a more inclusive work environment. Chaos. Managers then are required to track the vaccine status of the employees for...and sure for what? I guess to know if they need to order more bracelets. I also can share a story about an employer that requires vaccines (even working from home), but due allow for a religious exemption. This form is lengthy and requires many personal beliefs to be revealed. Ok,I can get past that, my boss and one HR person now have that info, then wait on pins and needles if it has been approved and they still have a job. Congratulations I have been approved, but now feel like my religious beliefs were put on trial. In addition, I can now upload my vacation status, to an app. Asking to follow up questions like, who has access to this app? Oh maybe a few more HR people, some IT people. Well, how long is it stored? No answer can be provided on how long or who has access. This is happening to far into the pandemic with lots of data on transmission rates, efficacy of masks, facts on vaccine injuries, all available for analyzing. But the excitement around the magic of vaccines has gotten many companies drunk on power and they are with leading with fear created by a media narrative. Why are we so fixated on requiring a faulty vaccine and then asking about it? I don't openly tell people, and no one asks the results of my last pap smear test was, even though a positive from that type of test could be mean a lower survival rate than Covid! What is the survival rate of covid? Let me lay out the findings available for all of us to look at. As of October 2, 2021, CDC estimated there have been 146 million total Covid infections in the United States. Of course, that number has increased dramatically since CDC's last infection estimate given, we recently had the highest daily case counts in the history of pandemic. But because going on this 4monthold estimate would give us the highest possible ratio, let's go with it for the sake of argument.If we underestimate the amount of infections by four months, and still divide by the total number of Covid deaths as of February 9, 2022 (which is 934,090), we end up with a Covid IFR (infectionfatalityrate) of 0.6 before we stratify for any comorbidities, age, or anything else. Again, given this infection estimate from CDC is almost four months old now, this is the highest the Covid IFR in the U.S. could possibly be. As for Iowa, since we don't have infection data we have to go by cases (which means confirmed Covid diagnosis/test). As of February 9, 2022, Iowa has had 815,206 total Covid cases and 8,829 Covid deaths. That gives us a CFR (or casefatalityrate) of 1% before we stratify for any comorbidities, age, or anything else. Iowa ranks 31st in per capita Covid deaths.In other words its low. SO I am exhausted by all the private medical questions, for a disease that has a CFR in Iowa of 1%. This all stems from fear and chaos. Whether or not you get a vaccine is beyond the issue, what makes me mad is that they are asking this personal medical information and then can't tell me who has access to it and why. Please pass House bill 647 medical privacy is important. Period.

02-13-2022

Miriam Righter []

This bill is political theater for the uneducated. Vaccines protect the public, and are completely necessary for society. If you have any doubts about this, go stroll through a cemetery from the turn of the century. I was in my early 20s the first time I did this, and was absolutely appalled at the numbers of children who died, and whole families wiped out at the same time. It made me totally appreciate that I was vaccinated, that vaccines were available for the children I would bear, and that they were required for school.

02-13-2022

Kristin Scheppler []

I was a part of the sub committee meeting attendees who were there to support the fine people who spoke in favor of this. This is an important bill for ALL IOWANS. Privacy over our own bodies. And parental choice over the bodies of their children. We cant start throwing away freedoms over fear. That leads to a very slippery slope we cant come back from. Thank you for your time and service to all Iowans.

02-13-2022

Dianne Rinehart []

Our government has too much information about us now. As a retired healthcare provider, we had to ensure privacy of our medical information we held on our patients as confidential at the risk of losing our license to practice medicine. The HIPPA laws are supposedly protecting our medical records unless providers are using electronic files which are poorly organized and dont interact with other file systems but it all goes to insurance and government. Our healthcare spends more time and energy with the damn files than they do with the patient. Then we have a file that may or may not be user friendly or efficient. Health care is a disaster as a result of government oversight and insurance interference and partnering in that oversight. I would suggest you not consider voting on any Bill this inefficient, money focused health/ government system recommends. Start visiting with the retired providers that put the patient first, spent time collecting a complete history and quit just checking boxes to allow our government to run the system. No one needs to know another's medical decisions. Certainly not an employer that can hold your choices against you. If we are truly in an epidemic and threatening people to get an UNTESTED injection that does not appear to be a vaccine because more people have died in 2021 after the injection than in 2020. The death rate in 2020 was in average of the last 5 to 7 years. THAT IS NOT A PANDEMIC. Do not rule and govern for a pandemic that was not a pandemic over an injection that is NOT A VACCINE. No employer should use you vaccine record or DNA tests, or lab results to alter your benefits package or work environment.

02-13-2022

Courtney Collier []

I am the expert on my health and my body after receiving and informed consent. I decide. Not my employer. Not my county public health department. Not a liability free vaccine manufacturing company. Not the unelected CDC, WHO, NIH. Not even my doctor.I decide. I own my body. I am not a slave to bureaucratic agencies or corporations.Next month will be 24 months of this novel virus and our exposure to it and the overreach that has followed since it first was unleashed on our world intentionally. And sadly today we see the tyranny, segregation and discrimination we are experiencing because of it.This pandemic has demonstrated that people have in fact forgotten the recent history of Nazi Germany. My unmasked, unvaxxed family is not dirty or diseased or threat to society. But some in this world seek to penalize and even remove us from society for our private personal medical decisions.At our recent school board meetings in Waukee Iowa, the room was divided by masked and unmasked seating. This was a chilling sight to see. Reminiscent of other times in history when people were categorized and segregated based upon who they are. How could we be so foolish to let this happen again? How could we let the worst parts of human history be repeated? How can we openly support and allow this today?Nothing is more foolish or dangerous than putting the health decisions for your family in the hands of those who have no liability for those decisions. Vaccines have no liability for the manufacturer or the medical professional who administers them. This was made US Law in 1986 with the signing of HR 5546 by President Reagan. Vaccines are the only medical product and procedure that has this special protection. What a business model all profit and no liability. And yet we see businesses and governments trying to mandate vaccines on people. This is a violation of human rights.Pfizer for example wants 55 years to release its data and documents on its new MRNa injection. What does that tell us? What are they trying to hide? Who will be responsible if my sons father is forced, in order to keep his job, to take an unsafe, liability free and genetically altering vaccine if he dies or is permanently injured from it?Why is his natural immunity to this virus completely ignored and not part of the discussion?We as humans should not need an exemption from a liability free product. No one should be able to dictate our personal, private medical decisions or ask about them. This is America. Land of the free. This is Iowa. The state whose flag says, our liberties reprise our rights we will maintain.Those of you who were elected to serve the people of the Iowa are expected to protect the unalienable rights and liberties of the people of Iowa.Representative Mark Cisneros said it best, be courageous to defend those who elected you.The corruption we see taking place today, threats of losing your career and your access to education or food or medical care ARE crimes against humanity. To those who participate in these crimes, shame on you. You will not be able to hide from the justice that will come for the victims of these crimes. Claiming Im just following orders or doing my job is not going to protect you. If you believe it will, I suggest you research the Nuremberg trials.

02-13-2022

Zach Hawkinson []

I support bill hsb 647. I don't think there's a need for people to know my medical information to work. Our freedoms have been protected before with equal rights in the work place no matter what. How is this any different.

02-13-2022

M Bergfeld []

Vote YES on HSB 647!No citizen of the United States of America should be required to get a medical injection or medical procedure in order to enjoy the rights of the Constitution to freely move about the country, be employed by any entity in order to provide basic needs to themselves or their family or compromise their moral conscience. We will see the devastation of these mandates in rising healthcare costs and the further erosion of the health of Americans over the next decades. Let Iowa lead this free nation in saying no to tyranny.Vote YES on HSB 647!

02-13-2022

Yvette Andersen []

I would like to voice my support for this bill. It should be a personal choice, what is put into our bodies and the bodies of our children. This bill will protect all Iowans and set Iowa up as an example of freedom for our nation. It will keep Iowans working and protect them from choosing to take something against their conscience or lose their job. Please protect the future for our children and pass this bill. Protect them from being discriminated against for not taking an injection against their conscience or lose their job.

02-13-2022

Emily Stoulil []

I respectfully ask for your support of HSB647. Every medical decision one makes should be made of their own freewill after careful research and consideration, taking into account their unique health history and needs. Furthermore, one should be protected from discrimination due to the decisions they make regarding their health, similar to other protected classes.

02-13-2022

Stacy Stubbe [Self Employed]

Please support HSB647! Please vote yes and protect our right to privacy and our Godgiving freedoms. ! No one should endure discrimination based on their vaccine status. Each individual should be able to determine their own health choices and not have vaccines forced vaccines in order to stay in a job and provide for their family. Health decisions should not divide us.

02-13-2022

Robin Moore []

Iowa Stands United,This is the email I sent to all committee members: Dear Committee Members, I am in support of this bill and is of paramount importance to me. I will make this short since I know you have several to read. I lost a brother in law to "Covid". My sister in law, at the age of 59, is now alone. Her and my brother in law, were high school sweethearts. He should still be here. THREE weeks in the hospital and he died of "Covid". If he wouldn't have been so tough, and fought so hard to hang on, I know now, he would of died sooner, since the hospital psychopaths, did not care to save his life. The hospital treated him with the Covid protocol. He should have been protected from harm and death. He was not vaccinated and I am convinced, knowing what I know now, through extensive research, they murdered him. They could have saved him, if they would have treated him appropriately. The hospital neglected to treat him how they should have, to save his life. My brother in law was discriminated against since he was not vaccinated and the hospital did not take life saving measures to make him well. Please pass this bill so this does not continue to happen to others and their loved ones. Thank you for your consideration, Robin Moore

02-14-2022

Linda Daley []

I support a persons right to decide what goes into his or her body. The consequences of adverse reaction or death to the shot will be one for that person or family to bare. Unless they sue the employer for being pressured into it or discrimination because of being treated differently in regards to vaccine status

02-14-2022

Lindsey Shinkey []

I support this bill. I believe that medical privacy is a basic human right and that no one should have to disclose their private medical information to gain access to public spaces or workplaces. This is discrimination and it is misaligned with our constitution.

02-14-2022

T E []

I am in SUPPORT of this Bill. The SF 555 is no where near effective in protecting Iowans from employer discrimination based on vaccine status. That continues to be the case, not allowed in an office if unvaccinated and required to provide your vaccine status. Employers are essentially practicing medicine without licensure. Requiring employees now also wear KN95 masks in office. Receiving unemployment should you be fired for not getting vaccinated is not a solution to this discrimination problem. Employers are also not excepting exemptions as they are required to by law and go further by dictating theyre own questionnaires be filled out to prove your exemption. Exemptions dont need employer approval, you sign it notarize it and turn it in. Nothing more required. Its time Iowa legislation step up to protect Iowans from this new discrimination that has been going on since 2021.

02-14-2022

Kala Eller [Greenbelt Home Care - Hardin County Public Health]

As a health care provider, I support HSB647. It should be up to the individual in question what they wish to put into their body, as well as who they wish to provide that information to without fear of retaliation or discrimination.

02-14-2022

Kim P [`]

I am writing to request your support of HSB647. What defines a tyrannical government? According to MerriamWebster it is "an act or the pattern of harsh, cruel, and unfair control over other people". You don't have to look too hard to see this is exactly what is and has been happening in our country over the last two years. The US government is abusing their authority. Let me say it again. ABUSING. The citizens of the United States are currently in an ABUSIVE relationship with our government. Sure we've heard promises of "it'll get better, just take the shot and you can go back to normal". Lies lies and more lies, that's all that's been given to us since this nightmare started. Read through the public comments on this bill and you'll see how many people have been discriminated against based on their medical status. Is this ok?? Are YOU ok with this? What if your sister, brother, cousin, grandparent, child were treated as a thirdclass citizen simply because they decided not to have an experimental drug, with longterm side effects unknown, injected into their bodies? Are you ok with that person being coerced, bullied, and terrorized until they gave in? At no point should someone be forced to release their private medical status to keep their job, get a job, to buy groceries for their family, or travel intra/inter state. To continue to allow government overreach to decide on an individual's health decisions is to create slaves.Be a beacon of hope. Support this bill. Provide a path for other states to follow suit.

02-14-2022

Wanda Koos []

Greetings Representatives,On behalf of my sons, parents, siblings, the majority of my coworkers, myself, and most importantly my grandkids; I am asking for unanimous representation in support of HSB 647 (the Medical Privacy and Freedom Act).Although many of us are vaccinated against Covid19 (however I know my 3 year old and 6 month old grandchildren are not) we feel extremely strongly that our employment, schooling, and basic freedom of travel and life; should not be held hostage to the autocratic rule of a few (whether that be a decision made by an elected official or the CEO of some big company). We should not ever have an ultimatum held over our heads to continue employment or required to show our "papers/cards" in order to travel and do business freely among our state and communities.We understand that there could be legal challenges, but please let that work itself out in the court. In the meantime, we need something on the books to prevent any potential future overreach (regardless of what party is in power at the time, or some questionable belief held by an intolerant CEO). After there are court challenges and legal changes, we can then live with what the courts rule as binding.Thank you for your representation and support.With Respect and Best Wishes,The Friends and Family of Wanda Koos

02-14-2022

Beverly Belieu [Private citizen and self employed salon owner]

I'm writing to urge you to pass HSB 647. The medical madness that has emerged from the mandates and restrictions speak volumes as to why this bill must become law. The many experiences I've read above mirror my own experience. The stress connected to work place bullying over vaccine status has magnified and isolated many individuals who do not wish to accept experimental shots. The pressure to take an experimental drug to remain insured ,employed ,enrolled as a student, or accepted in the work/ school environment is beyond outrageous.Vaccine status as a condition of employment is wrong no matter where an individual works.My family members and I have agonized over this decision but will not comply. I have knowledge of numerous adverse reactions to vaccines including: blood clotting , neuropathy, sudden developments of cysts on the spine and ovaries ,coincidental I'm not convinced . Our American story is one of freedom and liberty and of caring for the community with borders. This overreach is peaking distrust in government. Thank you for bringing balance into leadership by upholding the right to choose .

02-15-2022

Jennifer Fester []

Please vote for the Medical Freedom and Privacy ACT. No medical procedure should be forced on anyone. In addition, this vaccine carries a lot of side effects and has resulted in many deaths. No other vaccine would have been allowed continued use with the amount of problems this one has had. The fact that our government tries to cover up any problems with the vaccine as misinformation makes it even more suspect.

02-15-2022

Nolan Schmidgall []

I encourage all legislators to support personal choice and medical freedom and prevent the tyrannical overreach of people in power trying to force their medical opinions, positions not supported by evidence (masks, vaccines, etc.), on the American people.

02-15-2022

Heather Bonin []

I am a former Certified Pharmacy Technician. I would love to go back, recertify, and work in a Pharmacy again. However I refuse to work in a politicized medical industry that only recognizes "my body my choice" under abortion and not under my choice of modern medical practices. During a time when we have a nursing crisis, and shortages across the board in all medical avenues, a ready and capable person should be enough, but I won't cattow to a vaccine that has not been properly longterm tested per the Gold Standard Testing measures. You cannot fasttrack longterm studies. And I won't guinea pig myself out, for this or any other medical experiment.

02-15-2022

Taylor Sieverding []

To whom it may concern I am in favor of the new HSB 647 Act. I am a mother of 4 doing everything in her power to teach my children about what is right and wrong in this world. What employers and current sitting president is trying to do is completely and immorally wrong. Everything they are doing with our personal medical information is getting out of control. What ever happened to what is going on medically with me stays between my doctor and I. Everything our founding fathers fought for is being stripped away little by little. Allowing us to choose what to do with own bodies has no concerns to anyone else and should stay that way. Frankly, I think it is sad we are even having to present this act because our constitution and others have already been set in place to protect us from the outreach in government and employer control. My hope is that you sincerely take into consideration on why our founder fathers did what they did. This isn't about just your opinion its about doing the correct thing.

02-15-2022

justin sieverding []

I don't believe that this bill is a matter of public safety. I believe that this is a personal decision just as religion is. it is an over reach of authority by a government set up by the people for the people that very rarely seems to represent what the people want

02-15-2022

Ella Hall []

Please support HSB 647. No one should ever be required to take an experimental drug to go to school or their job. My 2nd cousin, age 19 took the EUA Covid 19 vax as a requirement and then suffered a heart attack. She lived through that, but has permanent myocarditis. This will greatly shorten her life. I also have a friend in his 40s that died 2 weeks after taking the Covid vax and it was determined that the vax caused his death. My husbands employer gave financial incentives to their employees to take this EUA drug, so many of the employees took it. Within the first couple of weeks after they offered this, 2 truck drivers died on the job, one of a heart attack. Theyve even hired outside drivers and had one die in the parking lot. Three weeks ago, a young man at this employer in his early 30s died. We are seeing an unusually high number of deaths there. Never before have so many young people died at such a rate.Our son also works at a place that requires weekly testing for the unvaxxed. The sad thing about all this is that studies from highly vaxxed countries such as Israel are showing that mostly the vaxxed are now getting Covid. It appears that this vaccine has failed to do what vaccines used to be expected to do prevent disease. The grandfather of my 19 year old cousin that got the heart attack was fully vaxxed for Covid. He died in December of Covid. His wife, also fully vaxxed, was diagnosed with Covid. It seems that most of my vaxxed friends have been diagnosed with Covid after being considered fully vaxxed. I could tell of other fully vaxxed friends that died of Covid.I totally support that any employer or organization should be liable for injuries or deaths caused by these experimental vaccines if they required them. Employers generally are not doctors and dont have medical expertise for each individual employee. Medical privacy should be repected.Thank you for your support of this bill.

02-15-2022

Chelsea Day [DSM POLICE WIFE ( PLEASE READ)]

Strongly in favor of HSB647. The government, state or federal, has no business forcing of coercing citizens into making private health care choices. It is extreme overreach at best. Iowa needs ot lead the way to getting our country back to the " land of the FREE"!

02-15-2022

Nicole Shabino []

I am strongly in favor of this bill. Where there is risk there should be choice. Families and individuals deserve the freedom to choose what chemicals go inside their bodies and not be discriminated against regardless of their personal health decision.

02-15-2022

Sarah Farnsworth []

I urge you to SUPPORT and PASS Hsb647. This bill is of extreme importance to our freedoms! Our state's entities cannot and must not continue to discriminate for masks, vaccine status or any other reason. Our medical information or health status should not be stored or used to discriminate against us in any way. Our friends and family are being discriminated against because of their vaccination status and this can not continue. Medical freedom and privacy is of utmost importance and Iowans are being discriminated against because of their vaccine status. It is happening and there are countless examples of the following: Iowans have been denied treatment at medical facilities because of their status. Iowans have been forced to wait 48+ hours to be seen in an emergency room because of their status. Iowans have received inadequate care well below the standard of care at hospitals, clinics, and physicians offices... Iowans have been threatened, coerced, and abused verbally by healthcare workers, employers, teachers and service employees.Iowans have lost their place of employment and their source of income to care for their families. Iowans have been threatened to lose their jobs if they don't comply with the mandates. Iowans are expected to work from home, cut hours or test weekly. Iowans have been coerced to take an experimental vaccine for fear of retaliation from their employer, physician, superintendent or other persons of authority. Any and all of these things have farreaching effects and should not be allowed to occur in our FREE state. The Government has no right to force its citizens for a "one size fits all" experimental procedure. We should be allowed to live and work without any restrictions to our commerce, mobility, or employment because of such measures. We should be able to choose what gets injected into our bodies and not be discriminated against because of it. OVER 1 MILLION ADVERSE EVENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED THROUGH VAERS AS OF DECEMBER 24, 2021. Where there is a risk, there should be a choice. Our citizens shouldn't be discriminated against for their healthcare decisions and their personal information shouldn't be provided to ANYONE. I urge you to remain vigilant and protect our freedoms in our beautiful state and PASS THIS BILL.

02-16-2022

jennifer hartman []

Please forward this bill! It is apparent from all the comments on this page that I am not the only Iowan that feels this need to be passed. It is heartbreaking to read some of the comments. It pales in comparison to my experience. Some Iowans are being harassed by their employers. Their medical information is being widely known throughout their employers. Pay cuts and bonuses revoked for noncompliance. It goes on and on. Please stop this power grab by companies that have NO business knowing our vaccination status AND then be allowed to discriminate against us that do not. It is NOT about health any longer. It is about freedom and personal autonomy. No company is or has EVER done this for a flu shot (which kills people annually), chicken pox vaccine (which can also cause harm) or any of the many other childhood vaccines! Some comments have stated about schools requiring the children to have their childhood vaccines to enroll but fail to realize that parents are allowed to file an exemption for their child/ren. The child/ren and parents are not harassed for noncompliance but somehow for not having this current vaccine, they are? Isn't polio, measles, mumps (though not required here in IA) and rubella highly contagious yet we are not scared of someone not having the vaccine for it? . Not only that, but most childhood vaccines are tested thoroughly and have been around and proven for YEARS. You cannot even begin to compare childhood vaccines to this current one. I am not against vaccines or masks. It is a persons own right to choose to do so or not. I am against being FORCED to do something I do NOT believe in and I am certainly against making it widely known to my employer and others what my medical history is. It is no ones business but mine, my family and my medical professional. I work for an optometrist. We have to sign medical privacy forms and take training annually. If we EVER asked or made it known to anyone OUTSIDE of the office of a patients vaccine status or ANY private medical history for that matter, we would lose our job, get fined and the doctor would either get fined, too, or lose his practice. Somehow, though, it is ok for an employer to do it? All in the name of health? Come on, wake up. This is WRONG!!!! If you allow this bill to fail, my coworkers and I should not have to take any medical history training. We should be allowed to let anyone know the medical history of all of our patients. On the same note, your own personal doctor should be allowed to tell ANYONE your medical history, the history of your family, and so on. Where will it stop?

02-16-2022

Elicia Brancheau []

I am writing in support of HSB 647. In the last 2 years I personally have been interrogated, and at times refused entrance into local restaurants and stores. My son has been forced to finish his college years remotely and now is required to wear a mask and test regularly in order to work. Most recently my husband was fired from a job he had worked for 6 years. A job he loved. His company mandated proof of vaccination status back in October. He applied for an exemption, and was denied. He then appealed and was denied a second time and ultimatelyfired. This discrimination needs to end. Government and private businesses should never interfere with an individual's right to make their own health care decisions. No one should be shamed, bullied, bribed, coercedor discriminated against for making an informed decision about what to put into their body. Please end this and protect Iowans from medical tyranny.

02-16-2022

Heather Stancil [County Supervisor ]

I am in support of HSB 647. Personal individual liberty & privacy should be protected by government, and not left to the whims of private enterprise governed by profit & ESG scores.

02-16-2022

Lauren Flaherty []

Pass pass HSB647 the Medical Privacy and Freedom Act. Our medical privacy is being violated on a daily basis. I am discriminated against at work every day due to my vaccine status. I am required to test more, screen more, wear more PPE than my colleagues. My religious beliefs had to be validated by my pastor and my medical privacy is now violated every week. Thats not freedom of choice. Our medical privacy is being violated daily. This is not freedom. Please support and pass HSB647. Please restore our medical privacy and freedom. Restore our right to feed our families without being discriminated against.Thank you, Lauren Flaherty

02-16-2022

Sarah Panther []

Please support for HSB 647. At this point we know that being vaccinated does not stop spread and at very most it may lesson symptoms in high risk individuals. Therefore, there is no logical or scientific reason that is should ever be mandated. I should not have had to ever share my medical information regarding my choice to have or not have this vaccine and yet I was forced to do so to keep my job. I was, thankfully, allowed a religious exemption but felt discriminated against with the writing in the exemption stating that I would have to continue to mask. And for what reason? More of my vaccinated coworkers have gotten covid than the unvaccinated coworkers and yet they would be able to walk around without masks? Ask yourself how 2 years into this we are still allowing this logic. Please pass HSB 647, Iowans should be allowed to chose what is best.

02-16-2022

Gretchen Jones []

I have already submitted my support for HSB647, but want to give you examples of how our familys medical freedoms & privacy have been abused. My college athlete son was coerced into taking the vaccine, even after he had Covid19, or he would be required to mask, test 2x/wk & quarantine if exposed. Vaccinated individuals were not forced to comply with any of those requirements, even though the vaccine does not prevent illness or transmission. He is again being coerced to take a booster by the NCAA, or otherwise face discriminatory practices of testing and quarantining. There is no option to test for antibodies to show natural immunity. My daughter and I both tested and have Covid19 antibodies, and we dont even know when we had the illness! Furthermore, college athletes are amongst the healthiest people in the world, have minimal risk for dying from Covid and males in this age group are at the highest risk from vaccine induced myocarditis! Also my husband was forced to take the vaccine or be terminated due to working for a healthcare company, even though he does not work with patients, and they are still required to wear masks in their offices! He experienced a significant adverse event following his vaccine and we dont know what future health issues might arise. The human resources department now has his vaccine status listed and other personnel are aware of his status, which is a violation of HIPPA and medical privacy, which was ignored due to the so called COVID19 emergency. As we are sadly experiencing and seeing outrageous numbers of adverse events and deaths, these Emergency Use Authorization experimental vaccines are unsafe and we do not know the longterm repercussions for millions of people. Furthermore our children are being used as a lab rats to see if the vaccines work when they are at extremely low risk of dying from Covid and it has already been proven that the current vaccines do not stop or prevent transmission of the current variant. These are atrocities that the Nuremberg code was designed to prevent, however are being ignored. The COVID19 vaccine EUAs should immediately be ended! The least you can do is approve of HSB647 to help protect Iowans from future medical tyranny. We would greatly appreciate everyones support on this very important issue! Thank you, Gretchen JonesWaukee, IA

02-16-2022

Earl Canfield [Canfield Family Farm]

We are a selfemployed farm family in northeast Iowa. We fully support the passage of HSB647 into Iowa law. Todate, we have not been directly, negatively affected ourselves by public and/or private medical mandates but know many people who have been and desire to see all people have the proper protection from this type of injustice.It is a clear violation of fundamental basic individual constitutional human rights and the longestablished personal protections of the Nuremberg Code to force any person against their will and without clear informed consent to either share their personal medical information or receive an unwanted medical treatment or procedure. Please do everything within your powers as our elected state representatives to pass HSB647 and thus uphold these important basic rights of all Iowans.We are not a truly free society if we don't have guaranteed protections when it comes to being able to make our own personal medical decisions without fear of retribution by any outside entity.

02-16-2022

Unable to disclose Unable to disclose []

Thank you for this step to correct a violation of medical privacy. I would like to encourage you to consider if the current wording will prevent Iowa employers who are Federal contractors from collecting and daily distributing vaccination status.

02-16-2022

fear of retaliation []

Pass this bill. I work for a company and cannot give my name for fear of retaliation. I am discriminated against every day. I had to prove my faith for a religious exemption, have to be tested weekly and wear a mask. Everyone at the company knows and can know if I am vaccinated as the company does not hide it. I used to enjoy coming to work, now I hate it. The courts have blocked this mandate but my company does not care because they say the ruling does not apply to them. Even if it did they said they would not comply because they "are protecting their employees". Well, I don't feel protected. The vaccinated are the ones that are out sick at this company causing the rest of us unvaccinated to work harder. How can I or any other unvaxxed person be the blame for their "sickness"? I have to test negative AND wear a mask while I am here....to protect them. Who is protecting me?! Surely not this company (and, so far, not the Iowa government). The company I work for is all for diversity and inclusion but that does not apply to us that are Christian and unvaccinated. It is imperative that this bill passes to stop tyrant companies from proceeding with this discrimination.

02-16-2022

Amy Gyldenvand []

I have previously given my support for HSB647 and I continue to plead for support for this bill for Iowans. The virus that has rocked the world has a 99% survivability rate for most. This is the start of the third year of the virus being part of our lives and there is a lot of natural immunity out there that no one will discuss! There is also therapeutics out there if you can find a doctor willing to prescribe or a pharmacy that doesn't interfere with the doctors prescribed treatment. People were given a choice for a vaccine that rolled out 1618 months ago for a virus that arrived in late 2019. All Iowans deserve the respect to make their own choices on what they put into their bodies. At this point if one has decided not to participate in this science experiment for a virus that is continually changing and weakening with an old vaccine then that decision needs to be respected as well. One size does not fill all. Never has and never will. The medical tyranny and overreach by many needs to stop. There can be no healing in this divided world without these protections. It's getting worse now in 2022 rather than better. It's heartbreaking what is happening to so many! I pray that you will pass this bill and protect all Iowans.

02-16-2022

Esther Arkfeld []

Our medical privacy must be protected. Bodily autonomy and our right to decide what goes into our body should never be compromised. The amount of discrimination and segregation that has happened over the last two years should be a testament to why we need this bill. Voting in support for this bill should not be a debate. Protect our right to bodily autonomy please.

02-16-2022

Danielle Thomas []

I am in full support of HSB647 and Im writing with the hopes that you will pass this bill to protect Iowans.I am a mother of four, but a former first responder, former nurse, and law enforcement academy graduate out of Minnesota. My husband is our only income supporting our household, as I stay home and care for our four children. I have three vaccine injured children. We lived in California for a few years, that is where my two middle children were born and where all were vaccine injured. We lived there from 20152018. My second born daughter had a nearly fatal reaction to the PCV13 shot, which is FDA approved and on the childhood schedule. In California, there are only medical exemptions allowed for children to remain unvaccinated. But, its impossible to get one, even after anaphylactic reactions. Doctors are not only reluctant to give them but terrified to give exemptions in Ca. Even diagnosiss the state considers to be legitimate medical reasons are audited, and doctors wont issue them for fear of losing their licenses. They can only give out so many medical exemptions (and its a very small number) before being investigated and having their licenses stripped. My second born daughter ended up hospitalized 5 times from not only the PCV13 shot but also the DTAP, and others. And when I say hospitalized, I mean we had to sleep in our vehicle for days at a time while she was treated at Loma Linda pediatrics ER, and multiple other hospitals, for reactions resulting in swelling of the brain, seizures, and she suffered obvious neurological damage.Loma Linda Pediatrics sent her to an immunologist who did testing on her, to find out which one shot at a time vaccine(s) she was having nearly fatal reactions to. She reacted severely to each one, during the testing, but still, no medical exemption was granted. The immunologist said she was uncomfortable giving her the rest of the series and sent a letter to her pediatrician telling him he had to catch her up on the schedule ASAP and not delay her schedule . Her pediatrician was a provaccine doctor; and he refused to do comply with her demand. He said to my husband and I, I watched her reactions play out before my eyes, I am going to step down as her doctor because I refuse to let her die in my office. I went from being a blind pro vaccine medical worker and first responder, to being rudely awakened to the facts, the facts that all dwindle down to the truth, vaccines are NOT one size fits all. My oldest daughter, received her DTAP and her sisters DTAP, which was the nurses error. I immediately asked that the nurse would report this incident of two DTAP doses, and her reaction of a seizure that occurred within 20minutes after the double dose , and she said she would do so. Then she also assured me nothing could possibly happen, it would be completely safe for her to have two doses. A couple years later, when establishing care with a pediatrician in Mn after we left California, he revealed to us that neither of our daughters reactions were ever reported. We were lied to. Our first born also ended up having swelling of the brain, and regressed from a toddler who had more than achieved her milestones (she surpassed them), to suddenly losing her verbal skills, her equilibrium, and she started to experience for the first time ever serious sensory issues . The onset was within 72 hours for all of those effects . Believe mothers, we know our children and we see this happen first hand. When my third child, my first son was born, I turned in paperwork to the hospital (California) saying that vaccines would be handled by his pediatrician upon his first appointment and were not to be administered while we were at that hospital where he was born . I had a Csection and due to complications they had to put me under full anesthesia . Before I came to, a nurse had already given him his hep b shot and vitamin K without my consent. Against my written and notarized paperwork I provided upon admittance. She broke the law. And he also suffered seizures. When we moved from California to Minnesota we enrolled our oldest child into kindergarten at a public school. Upon enrollment, they denied my oldest daughters exemption from vaccines and they made several false statements, they claimed the form we used wasnt valid although it was a state approved and issued form, they made several demands such as her medical records and doctors statements to prove she was exempt. When I sourced and cited Mn statues to inform them her exemption was valid , they became defensive and angry, they threatened to call CPS to remove her from our home and put her with a family who would do their duties and get her vaccines caught up. Luckily, a medical freedom advocate and attorney stepped in after hearing our story, and contacted the nurse, Superintendent, and the principal and informed them that what they were doing was violating her rights and was breaking Mn Law, and they quickly backed down.However, after all of this and only being enrolled in public school for a week and a half, I pulled her out of the system as her teacher was making horrid comments to her, telling her To have another family member like a grandparent take her to get her vaccinated adding Its completely okay to hide this from your parents. Homeschooling began the day I pulled her out; and we have never gone back to the public school system. I am grateful for Iowans support and stance on parental rights, religious freedom, school choice. After finding doctors in Mn who believed in giving informed consent and were not afraid to take unvaccinated patients and risk being investigated, a huge weight was lifted off of our shoulders and hearts . These doctors understood our childrens injuries, our children were treated and we began seeing positive results and it was a gift from God that we found these physicians. We saw almost immediate benefits of such treatment, although it took years to achieve a functional state of good health after their injuries, and our nonverbal second born daughter ACTUALLY regained her verbal skills, and we now have our happy girl back. Thank God for those doctors, Doctors who follow the science, who saved our babies from a life of pain and struggling.Informed consent is KEY.My husband has had many interviews for jobs in Iowa as a result of a layoff, and at multiple interviews , the managers and hr interviewing him demanded vaccine proofs, (physical proof be mailed to them; for example) before he was allowed to even interview or access the property and this occurred at several businesses. We struggled financially and emotionally , in attempts to even secure an interview to have a chance at being considered for a job , it was a struggle and still is a struggle to fine businesses that arent discriminating against people for not having the Covid jab. It took months of trying to do anything we could to keep the lights on and food on the table. Please dont California our Iowa. We moved here to Iowa for the freedom. We need to ensure that continues , and passing HSB 647 would stop that discrimination. Passing this bill would stop hard working Iowans from losing their jobs, or being coerced into medical procedures, this would protect religious freedom and bodily autonomy, and I believe more people would be entering the workforce again in mass numbers if this bill is passed.Also, I have serious health issues and may be denied medical treatment to save my life in the near future , many medical institutions are denying organ transplants and other services to those who havent gotten the Covid vaccine, please consider parents like me who are needed in the home, and needed alive, for their children when making your decision. Please pass this bill!We need to pass this, immediately. Also, holding businesses and other institutions legally accountable for discriminating against Iowans. Informed consent, medical freedom, religious freedom, and being free from the implications and repercussions from such discrimination ; all will be ensured for Iowans if this bill is passed. Please, as a mother to vaccine injured children, a former medical worker and first responder, save Iowa, and pass HSB647.Godbless you all who will pass this bill. Remember, IowansFaith over fear. Freedom over fear. Danielle Thomas, Des Moines

02-16-2022

James Koch []

It's time for the caucusing and debating to end and pass HSB647! Just take a look at the hundreds of examples of discrimination and abuse of fellow Iowans by their employers and medical facilities recorded in these public comments. Their voices prove how ineffective the "protections" put in place by HF902 last October really are. Pass HSB647 now to end the tyrannical oppression of this medical dictatorship!

02-16-2022

Beth Fosse []

Please support Iowans medical privacy and freedom by passing this bill. My husband was discriminated against at his place of work based on his religious beliefs and desire for medical freedom of choice. He was forced to comply or resign. He resigned. Iowans should not have to decide between employment and medical and religious freedom.

02-18-2022

Jon Jacobsen []

Under the doctrine at law of Incorporation by Reference, additional Public Comments are hereby included herein, and shall be deemed to have the same force and effect as if set forth in full herein, and are incorporated by reference as found in various forms of, including but not limited to written, video-recorded, videotaped, filmed, photographed, digitally recorded, audio-recorded, audiotaped citizen and individual testimony and witness provided to legislators, as located and found in materials submitted to and retained archivally for Legislative History and Legislative Intent purposes, physically in custody at either or both of the Offices of Iowa Secretary of State and/or Office of the Chief Clerk, Iowa House of Representatives, and are available for inspection and review.