Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The latest news about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Montana.

Federal judge halts COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers

COVID vaccine record card
iStock

A federal judge has sided with Montana and other states in halting a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.

Louisiana district court judge Terry Doughty ruled the Biden administration does not have the authority to implement a vaccine mandate for employees at health care facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding. In his ruling, Doughty writes that the case is a matter of separation of powers as well as of protecting the liberties of people who don’t want to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Montana was among a dozen states to file a lawsuit and motion for injunction against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ rule, which Attorney General Austin Knudsen called an “unconstitutional power grab.”

The injunction applies to all states, except the 10 states — including Wyoming — in which a separate injunction was granted on Monday.

Copyright 2021 Yellowstone Public Radio. To see more, visit Yellowstone Public Radio.

Nadya is Yellowstone Public Radio's news director.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information