Freedom for Health Care Workers Act

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.

Bill 118 hr 497, also known as the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to protect the rights of health care workers to make their own decisions regarding their personal health care choices, specifically in regards to receiving vaccinations.

The bill states that no health care worker can be required to receive a vaccination as a condition of employment, unless such a requirement is necessary to protect the health and safety of patients. It also prohibits discrimination against health care workers who choose not to receive a vaccination.

Additionally, the bill requires health care facilities to provide reasonable accommodations for health care workers who choose not to receive a vaccination, such as wearing masks or working in a different area of the facility. Overall, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act aims to uphold the rights of health care workers to make their own health care decisions while also ensuring the safety and well-being of patients. It is currently being debated in Congress and has garnered support from various health care worker advocacy groups.