Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB497

Introduced
1/25/23  
Refer
1/25/23  
Engrossed
2/1/23  

Caption

Freedom for Health Care Workers Act This bill nullifies the rule titled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination, which was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 5, 2021, and prohibits the issuance of any substantially similar rule. The rule requires health care providers, as a condition of Medicare and Medicaid participation, to ensure that staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Impact

If enacted, HB 497 would significantly alter the framework within which health care providers operate, particularly those relying on federal programs. The removal of the vaccine mandate could lead to decreased vaccination rates among healthcare staff and could potentially affect patient safety and public health, especially in vulnerable populations reliant on these services. Certain stakeholders argue that this could leave healthcare facilities more susceptible to outbreaks of infection among both staff and patients, particularly in settings such as nursing homes and hospitals.

Summary

House Bill 497, known as the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, proposes the elimination of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate imposed on health care providers participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs. This bill specifically targets a rule issued in November 2021, which required healthcare staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition for participating in federal health care programs. By nullifying this regulation, HB 497 seeks to provide more autonomy to healthcare workers and organizations regarding vaccination requirements.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 497 is quite polarized. Supporters of the bill advocate for personal choice and the right of health care workers to decide their own health care measures without government oversight. They argue that the mandate infringes on personal liberties and could exacerbate labor shortages in the healthcare sector. Conversely, critics, including many public health advocates, view the bill as a misguided attempt to erode public health protections and potentially jeopardize the health of communities, especially during a pandemic scenario.

Contention

The central point of contention surrounding HB 497 revolves around the balance between individual rights and public health responsibilities. Proponents see the bill as a necessary means to protect individual freedoms and oppose what they view as an overreach by the federal government. On the other hand, opponents express concern that repealing the vaccine mandate could undermine efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings, diminishing the health infrastructure's ability to respond effectively to ongoing and future health crises.

Companion Bills

US HR75

Related bill Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 7) relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 139) to require Executive agencies to submit to Congress a study of the impacts of expanded telework and remote work by agency employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and a plan for the agency's future use of telework and remote work, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 382) to terminate the public health emergency declared with respect to COVID-19; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 497) to eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on health care providers furnishing items and services under certain Federal health care programs.

Previously Filed As

US HB119

Freedom from Mandates Act This bill nullifies certain executive orders regarding COVID-19 safety and prohibits the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) from taking specified actions with respect to vaccination against COVID-19. Specifically, the bill nullifies Executive Order 14042 (relating to ensuring adequate COVID-19 safety protocols for federal contractors) and Executive Order 14043 (requiring COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees). Labor may not issue any rule requiring employers to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or requiring testing of employees who are unvaccinated. HHS may not (1) require a health care provider, as a condition of participation in the Medicare or Medicaid program, to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or require testing of employees who are unvaccinated; or (2) otherwise penalize such a provider for failure to mandate such vaccination or require such testing.

US HB79

Freedom from Mandates ActThis bill nullifies certain executive orders regarding COVID-19 safety and prohibits the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) from taking specified actions with respect to vaccination against COVID-19.Specifically, the bill nullifies Executive Order 14042 (relating to ensuring adequate COVID-19 safety protocols for federal contractors) and Executive Order 14043 (requiring COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees).Labor may not issue any rule requiring employers to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or requiring testing of employees who are unvaccinated.HHS may not (1) require a health care provider, as a condition of participation in the Medicare or Medicaid program, to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or require testing of employees who are unvaccinated; or (2) otherwise penalize such a provider for failure to mandate such vaccination or require such testing.

US HB831

Medicare Medically Necessary Dental Care Act of 2023

US HB177

This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to revise regulations so as to specifically require Medicare skilled nursing facilities and Medicaid nursing facilities to report the identity of medical directors and related information.

US HB3069

John Lewis Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment Act of 2023

US HB4096

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to expand the application of Medicaid State programs to monitor antipsychotic medications to all Medicaid beneficiaries.

US HJR139

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting".

US HB31

Cover Outstanding Vulnerable Expansion-eligible Residents Now Act or the COVER Now Act This bill establishes a demonstration program to allow local governments to provide health benefits to the Medicaid expansion population in states that have not expanded Medicaid. Under the program, local governments may provide coverage for individuals who are newly eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (i.e., the Medicaid expansion population) for a maximum of 10 years, or until their respective states expand Medicaid. The bill provides a 100% federal matching rate for the first three years of program participation. The bill prohibits states from taking certain actions against participating localities, such as withholding funding, increasing taxes, or restricting provider participation. States that violate these requirements are subject to certain funding penalties.

US HB403

No Mandates Act This bill prohibits federal agencies and certain entities that receive federal funding from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations. Specifically, federal agencies may not issue rules, regulations, or guidance that require an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill also prohibits requiring a COVID-19 vaccination to access federal property and services or congressional grounds and services. Additionally, an entity that received federal COVID-19 relief funds or receives other federal funds after this bill's enactment may not require a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of providing any service to an individual.

US SJR91

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting".

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.