HR 497
118th Congress
House
Health
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Health personnel
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medicaid
Medicare
Freedom for Health Care Workers Act
Everywhere this bill has been
18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 17, 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 3, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 1, 2023
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jan 31, 2023
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 227 - 203 (Roll no. 98). (text: CR H539)
Jan 31, 2023
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 219 (Roll no. 97).
Jan 31, 2023
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H551-553)
Jan 31, 2023
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Jan 31, 2023
Ms. Jacobs moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H548-551)
Jan 31, 2023
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Jan 31, 2023
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 497.
Jan 31, 2023
Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 7, H.R. 139, H.R. 382 and H.R. 497. All bills are considered under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit.
Jan 31, 2023
Rule H. Res. 75 passed House.
Jan 31, 2023
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 75 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 7, H.R. 139, H.R. 382 and H.R. 497. All bills are considered under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit.
Jan 31, 2023
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 497, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Jan 31, 2023
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 75. (consideration: CR H539-551)
Jan 31, 2023
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 25, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 25, 2023
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
2
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2023 | House · vote #98 | On Passage | Passed | 227–203 | See who voted → |
| Jan 31, 2023 | House · vote #97 | On Motion to Recommit | Failed | 210–219 | See who voted → |
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Plain-English summary
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.
What's happening now
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Related & companion bills
1
Bill text
3 versions
- Engrossed in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Referred in Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Committees of jurisdiction
5
Cosponsors
71
Duarte, John
R
Hageman, Harriet M.
R
Rose, John W.
R
Smith, Adrian
R
Brecheen, Josh
R
Carter, Earl L. "Buddy"
R
Cline, Ben
D'Esposito, Anthony
Johnson, Bill
R
Fulcher, Russ
R
Garbarino, Andrew R.
R
Griffith, H. Morgan
R
Cammack, Kat
Pence, Greg
R
Yakym, Rudy
R
Allen, Rick W.
Armstrong, Kelly
R
Arrington, Jodey C.
R
Balderson, Troy
R
Bergman, Jack
R
Biggs, Andy
R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Bishop, Dan
R
Boebert, Lauren
R
Buchanan, Vern
Bucshon, Larry
Burgess, Michael
Carl, Jerry
R
Cloud, Michael
R
Crawford, Eric A. "Rick"
R
Crenshaw, Dan
R
Donalds, Byron
R
Dunn, Neal P.
R
Ellzey, Jake
Ferguson, A.
R
Fry, Russell
R
Gosar, Paul A.
R
Guest, Michael
R
Guthrie, Brett
R
Harshbarger, Diana
R
Hudson, Richard
R
Jackson, Ronny
R
Johnson, Mike
R
Latta, Robert E.
R
Luna, Anna Paulina
R
Mace, Nancy
R
Malliotakis, Nicole
R
Massie, Thomas
R
Mast, Brian J.
R
McCormick, Richard
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Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 497: Freedom for Health Care Workers Act. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-497/
"H.R. 497: Freedom for Health Care Workers Act." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-497/.
H.R. 497, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-497/.
[H.R. 497: Freedom for Health Care Workers Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-497/)