LINCOLN — A Bellevue state senator and several medical officials are raising “grave concerns” about a state pitch to fill jobs working with some of Nebraska’s most vulnerable residents.

In recent advertisements, the state touts its lack of a COVID-19 vaccination mandate to attract applicants for nursing and nursing assistant positions at a variety of state institutions.

Those institutions include Nebraska’s four veterans homes, which care for aging veterans and their spouses. They also include the Beatrice State Developmental Center, which houses people with developmental disabilities, many of whom have additional physical disabilities.

Others include the state’s psychiatric hospitals, the state-run facilities for juvenile offenders and the prisons.

State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, who is considering a potential run for governor as a Democrat, said she heard from countless people in her district about the ads, particularly family members of veterans home residents. She sent a letter Monday to Gov. Pete Ricketts and the State Department of Veterans Affairs questioning the tactic.

“This is especially concerning knowing that recently, nearly 60 medical organizations joined together stating that all health care workers should be vaccinated against COVID-19, yet Nebraska is actively encouraging those who are not vaccinated to come and work with our veterans,” she said.

For the full article click HERE