Freedom for Health Care Workers Act
12/21/2024, 9:05 AMSummary of Bill HR 497
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.
Congressional Summary of HR 497
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.
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Current Status of Bill HR 497
Bill HR 497 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 25, 2023. Bill HR 497 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on January 25, 2023. Bill HR 497's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. as of December 17, 2024Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 497
Total Number of Sponsors
2Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
2Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
76Democrat Cosponsors
0Republican Cosponsors
76Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 497
Primary Policy Focus
HealthPotential Impact Areas
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCardiovascular and respiratory healthHealth personnelImmunology and vaccinationInfectious and parasitic diseasesMedicaidMedicareAlternate Title(s) of Bill HR 497
Freedom for Health Care Workers ActFreedom for Health Care Workers ActFreedom for Health Care Workers ActTo eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on health care providers furnishing items and services under certain Federal health care programs.Comments
Most relevant
Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 497
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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.
Bill HRES 75April 17, 2024