A Threat to Medical Liberty: Why Mike Toomey’s Appointment Raises Concerns for Vaccine Choice

Last week, embattled Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan announced a new chief of staff, and he could not have picked a bigger opponent of medical liberty than Big Pharma’s favorite lobbyist in Texas: Mike Toomey.

Mike Toomey is well-known in Texas politics for serving as one of the top “hired guns” in Austin and for decades his top clients have included Merck and other pharmaceutical companies. In fact, it was through his direct efforts that then-Gov. Rick Perry pushed the Gardasil vaccine mandate on young girls.

During the COVID pandemic, Toomey was at the center – tapped by Gov. Greg Abbott to head the “Coronavirus Task Force,” he routinely ran roughshod over the rights and liberties of Texans.

As someone who has consistently worked to erode personal choice, Toomey’s influence at the highest levels of Texas government is alarming. His appointment by Speaker Phelan sends a clear message that the interests of powerful lobbyists are being prioritized over the rights of everyday Texans. 

Dade Phelan’s decision to appoint Toomey underscores how challenging it has been to pass strong medical liberty legislation in recent years. While the Texas Senate consistently and efficiently moves good bills through the Upper Chamber, the House often stalls or waters down these bills. Toomey’s new role amplifies our concerns about ongoing obstacles and serves as a stark reminder that our liberties are at risk.

Texans for Vaccine Choice strongly urges all who value their right to make personal medical decisions to stand with us in opposing this appointment. The time for change is now, and that change must start at the top. We must fight to protect our rights and ensure that our state’s leadership reflects the values of freedom and choice that we all hold dear.

In the coming months, Texans for Vaccine Choice will continue to advocate for legislation that safeguards medical liberty and opposes any efforts to undermine these rights. We call on all Texans to join us in this crucial fight to ensure that our state remains a place where individual freedoms are respected and protected.