A nurse in Florida publicly vowed not to use anesthesia for surgeries and medical procedures should he encounter MAGA patients. After significant backlash, it has been recently announced that he has lost his license.
The now-unlicensed nurse in question is Erik Martindale. Jeffery Mead, a TikToker, shared Martindale’s controversial Facebook post, which has since been deleted alongside his other social media accounts.
“I will not perform anesthesia for any surgeries or procedures for MAGA,” the nurse wrote. “It is my right, it is my ethical oath, and I stand behind my education. I own all of my businesses and I can refuse anyone!“
Thousands of users online and major conservative accounts immediately denounced Martindale’s intentions. Many pointed out that nurses should take care of their patients regardless of political beliefs, which openly contradicted the Florida nurse’s very evident and outspoken intentions.
“He needs to lose his job and license,” one user commented. Another commenter wrote, “And that’s why I won’t wear anything political at the hospital. These people are unhinged and will do it.” A third one said, “Medical providers have no business withholding care from anyone based on politics. He should find another line of work.”
No Longer Licensed
Reportedly, Martindale claimed he had been hacked, but that wouldn’t stop the backlash. Days after the controversial post, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that Martindale is no longer a registered nurse in Florida.
“Healthcare is not contingent on political beliefs, and we have zero tolerance for partisans who put politics above their ethical duty to treat patients with the respect and dignity they deserve,” Uthmeier wrote.
And while he is no longer licensed in Florida, public records show that Martindale, in fact, voluntarily relinquished his license. A source told Fox News that Martindale had also moved to Indiana without notifying the Florida Board of Nursing, which breaks the compact agreement.
Many celebrated online, with one user commenting, “Unburdened by what has been.” Another commenter penned, “Your ethical oath is to do no harm.” A third declared, “Nice to see Florida responding immediately.”
While politics are extremely divisive in this day and age, openly discussing how to cause harm to others based on their beliefs is nothing short of despicable.
