Overview
- Registered nurse Erik Martindale posted that he would not provide anesthesia for surgeries or procedures to MAGA or Republican patients, then deleted the message.
- Martindale later claimed his Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram accounts were hacked, but no independent verification of that claim was reported.
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he is paging the state nursing board to pursue revocation of Martindale’s license following the post.
- Commentary noted that Florida’s conscience protections do not plausibly cover refusing anesthesia based on political affiliation and that professional ethics require nondiscriminatory care.
- Outlets drew parallels to a recent case involving Florida nurse Lexie Lawler, who was fired after violent remarks online, while no revocation or employer action against Martindale has been confirmed.