Executive Council blocks contract over vaccine policy
Feb. 5—The Executive Council blocked a $25,000 contract until Dartmouth Health proved to state prosecutors that it's complying with the Patient Bill of Rights and not denying treatment based on someone's vaccination status.
Executive Councilor David Wheeler, R-Milford, said the item should not go forward until Dartmouth Health executives demonstrate to Attorney General John Formella that no vaccine requirements are in place for all surgical procedures at the state's largest health provider.
"We have a state law; they weren't in compliance with it on one individual aspect. Now we want to make sure across the board that patient views are being respected," Wheeler said during an interview.
Gilford's Shannon Buttermore said she was the patient who prompted the change in policy. She said she's been dealing with kidney issues since birth and had her first transplant at 16.
In December, she found out her kidney function was very low. Dartmouth officials gave her a list of requirements to get on its transplant list, which included the COVID-19 vaccine and various other immunizations.
Buttermore had received one COVID shot, but did not want another one as she had safety concerns.
After first receiving complaints about the matter, Formella reached out to Dartmouth Health executives, who announced they were no longer requiring COVID vaccines to do any kidney transplants.
Response expected by Friday
Formella said he's reached back out to Dartmouth to make certain there are no vaccine requirements for any medical work done on patients.
"We have been told they will get back to us by this Friday," Formella said.
"I'm not expecting there to be any other existing requirements, but I am awaiting that confirmation."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends COVID vaccinations for people with weakened immune systems, whatever the cause.
Dartmouth Health officials said they based their earlier policy on "scientific data."
"We know that vaccination against COVID-19 is proven highly effective at reducing the transmission of acute illness and hospitalization caused by COVID-19, and we continue to strongly recommend that transplant candidates and all other eligible people get vaccinated," Audra Burns, a spokesperson for the health system, said in a statement at that time.
Former state Rep. Melissa Blasek, a Merrimack Republican, was one of the prime authors along with former Rep. Leah Cushman, R-Weare, of the vaccination status update to the Patient Bill of Rights that lawmakers adopted in 2022.
Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver did not oppose tabling the contract, but said she was looking forward to the matter being resolved.
After the meeting, Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she respects the council's wish to get these assurances.
Prior to serving as a U.S. senator, Ayotte was the first female attorney general, appointed by both Democratic and Republican governors.
klandrigan@unionleader.com
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