H.R.497 — Freedom for Health Care Workers Act

House Roll Call

H.R.497

Roll 98 • Congress 118, Session 1 • Jan 31, 2023 5:15 PM • Result: Passed

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BillH.R.497 — Freedom for Health Care Workers Act
Vote questionOn Passage
Vote typeRecorded Vote
ResultPassed
TotalsYea 227 / Nay 203 / Present 0 / Not Voting 4
PartyYeaNayPresentNot Voting
R220002
D720302
I0000

Research Brief

On Passage

Bill Analysis

Bill Summary: HR 497 - Freedom for Health Care Workers Act

The Freedom for Health Care Workers Act (HR 497) seeks to amend existing federal policies regarding vaccination mandates for healthcare workers. Specifically, the bill aims to prohibit the imposition of COVID-19 vaccination requirements by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and any healthcare facilities receiving federal funding. This legislation is a response to concerns about workforce shortages and individual autonomy in health care settings.

Key Provisions:

  • The bill explicitly disallows the HHS from enforcing vaccination mandates for COVID-19 among healthcare workers.
  • It applies to all healthcare facilities that receive federal funding, including hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical institutions.
  • The bill also seeks to protect healthcare workers from being discriminated against based on their vaccination status.

Funding/Authorities: HR 497 does not allocate new funding but impacts existing federal funding streams for healthcare facilities. By prohibiting vaccination mandates, the bill may influence how federal funds are distributed to facilities that comply with or resist these mandates.

Programs/Agencies Affected: The primary agency affected by this bill is the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly its Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which oversees regulations for healthcare facilities. The bill could also impact state and local health departments that implement vaccination policies.

Beneficiaries and Regulation: The primary beneficiaries of HR 497 are healthcare workers who oppose mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. The bill aims to protect their employment rights and personal choices regarding vaccination. Additionally, healthcare facilities may benefit from a more stable workforce as the bill seeks to mitigate potential job losses related to vaccination mandates.

Key Timelines: As of the latest action, HR 497 has been referred to the Subcommittee on Health for further consideration. The timeline for potential hearings, amendments, or votes remains uncertain and will depend on the subcommittee’s agenda and broader legislative priorities.

View bill source • Clerk record • API record

Yea (227)

K
Kelly Armstrong

ND • R • Aye

D
Dan Bishop

NC • R • Aye

K
Ken Buck

CO • R • Aye

L
Larry Bucshon

IN • R • Aye

M
Michael Burgess

TX • R • Aye

K
Ken Calvert

CA • R • Aye

J
Jerry Carl

AL • R • Aye

L
Lori Chavez-DeRemer

OR • R • Aye

A
Anthony D'Esposito

NY • R • Aye

J
John Duarte

CA • R • Aye

J
Jeff Duncan

SC • R • Aye

A
A. Ferguson

GA • R • Aye

S
Scott Franklin

FL • R • Aye

M
Matt Gaetz

FL • R • Aye

M
Mike Gallagher

WI • R • Aye

M
Mike Garcia

CA • R • Aye

B
Bob Good

VA • R • Aye

K
Kay Granger

TX • R • Aye

G
Garret Graves

LA • R • Aye

M
Mark Green

TN • R • Aye

B
Bill Johnson

OH • R • Aye

D
Doug Lamborn

CO • R • Aye

J
Jake LaTurner

KS • R • Aye

D
Debbie Lesko

AZ • R • Aye

B
Blaine Luetkemeyer

MO • R • Aye

K
Kevin McCarthy

CA • R • Aye

L
Lisa McClain

MI • R • Aye

P
Patrick McHenry

NC • R • Aye

M
Marcus Molinaro

NY • R • Aye

A
Alexander Mooney

WV • R • Aye

B
Bill Posey

FL • R • Aye

C
Cathy Rodgers

WA • R • Aye

M
Matthew Rosendale

MT • R • Aye

J
John Rutherford

FL • R • Aye

G
George Santos

NY • R • Aye

D
David Schweikert

AZ • R • Aye

P
Pete Sessions

TX • R • Aye

A
Abigail Spanberger

VA • D • Aye

M
Michelle Steel

CA • R • Aye

C
Chris Stewart

UT • R • Aye

M
Michael Waltz

FL • R • Aye

B
Brad Wenstrup

OH • R • Aye

B
Brandon Williams

NY • R • Aye

Nay (203)

C
Colin Allred

TX • D • No

E
Earl Blumenauer

OR • D • No

J
Jamaal Bowman

NY • D • No

C
Cori Bush

MO • D • No

Y
Yadira Caraveo

CO • D • No

T
Tony Cárdenas

CA • D • No

M
Matt Cartwright

PA • D • No

D
David Cicilline

RI • D • No

G
Gerald Connolly

VA • D • No

J
Jason Crow

CO • D • No

L
Lloyd Doggett

TX • D • No

A
Anna Eshoo

CA • D • No

R
Ruben Gallego

AZ • D • No

J
John Garamendi

CA • D • No

R
Raúl Grijalva

AZ • D • No

B
Brian Higgins

NY • D • No

J
Jeff Jackson

NC • D • No

S
Sheila Jackson Lee

TX • D • No

D
Daniel Kildee

MI • D • No

D
Derek Kilmer

WA • D • No

A
Ann Kuster

NH • D • No

B
Barbara Lee

CA • D • No

K
Kathy Manning

NC • D • No

L
Lucy McBath

GA • D • No

G
Grace Napolitano

CA • D • No

W
Wiley Nickel

NC • D • No

B
Bill Pascrell

NJ • D • No

D
Donald Payne

NJ • D • No

M
Mary Peltola

AK • D • No

D
Dean Phillips

MN • D • No

K
Katie Porter

CA • D • No

C
C. Ruppersberger

MD • D • No

J
John Sarbanes

MD • D • No

E
Eric Swalwell

CA • D • No

R
Rashida Tlaib

MI • D • No

D
David Trone

MD • D • No

N
Nydia Velázquez

NY • D • No

D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz

FL • D • No

J
Jennifer Wexton

VA • D • No

S
Susan Wild

PA • D • No

Not Voting (4)

G
Greg Pence

IN • R • Not Voting