MAINE, USA — A federal judge in Maine has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of health care workers against Gov. Janet Mills and the state's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.
The seven workers had argued that the mandate violated their First Amendment rights on religious grounds.
But the judge ruled that if hospitals made accommodations for those workers, those hospitals would be violating state law. Additionally, there is no conflict between federal and state law, the judge ruled.
Northern Light Health released a statement on the matter.
“Our health care organization continues to strive always to act in the best interests of our patients and our staff in these challenging times, and we’re gratified that the Court completely validated our conduct in this matter,” Suzanne Spruce, the senior vice president of marketing and communications, said.
Read the full ruling below.