Vaccine mandate on pause

Wyoming joined a ten-state coalition to fight the federal rule that was to be imposed through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and would require healthcare workers to be vaccinated. On Monday, Governor Mark Gordon announced that the coalition’s lawsuit challenging the mandate had seen its first success.

According to the governor, a preliminary injunction was issued on Monday by the United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. The injunction halts implementation and enforcement of the rule.

“Because it is evident CMS significantly understates the burden that its mandate would impose on the ability of healthcare facilities to provide proper care, and thus, save lives, the public has an interest in maintaining the ‘status quo’ while the merits of the case are determined,” wrote the court. 

The court’s ruling was based on the fact that the arguments made by the coalition have a likelihood of success.

“This is welcome news for Wyoming’s rural healthcare facilities, which are already facing staffing challenges without additional unconstitutional burdens being placed on their employees by the federal government,” Gordon said. “Healthcare employees should not be forced to choose between vaccination and termination.”