COVID–19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1381

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-14: 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.

Last Updated

2025-03-18T08:05:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 1381) aims to prevent discrimination in healthcare by prohibiting federal funding for any facility that denies treatment to individuals based solely on their COVID-19 vaccination status. It seeks to ensure equal access to medical care regardless of vaccination history.

Key Provisions

• Funding Prohibition: No federal funds, including those from Medicare (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, which provides health insurance for seniors and certain disabled people), Medicaid (Title XIX, which covers low-income individuals), and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, Title XXI, for uninsured children), can be provided to healthcare facilities that refuse treatment based on a patient's COVID-19 vaccination status.
• Scope: The ban applies to all federally authorized or appropriated funds, including those in trust funds, and overrides other laws to enforce this rule.
• Short Title: The bill is officially named the "COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This legislation introduces a new, specific restriction on the use of federal healthcare funds, targeting discrimination tied to COVID-19 vaccination status.
• It modifies how funds under the Social Security Act are distributed by adding a condition that was not previously outlined in these titles, potentially limiting facilities' discretion in patient care decisions related to vaccination.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would need to monitor and enforce compliance, possibly increasing administrative oversight and audits of funded facilities.
• On Citizens: Patients, especially those unvaccinated against COVID-19, could gain better access to treatment without fear of denial based on vaccination status, promoting equity in healthcare.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts are evident, as the bill focuses on domestic federal funding and healthcare practices.

Main Stakeholders

• Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, and other providers receiving federal funds (e.g., Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements) are directly affected and must comply to avoid losing funding.
• Patients and Individuals: Particularly those with unvaccinated COVID-19 status, who benefit from protected access to care.
• Federal Government Entities: HHS, CMS, and congressional committees (e.g., Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means) involved in oversight and funding allocation.
• Taxpayers: Indirectly impacted through the allocation of federal funds to compliant entities only.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill could lead to enforcement challenges, such as defining "refusal to provide treatment" and verifying compliance, potentially resulting in lawsuits over funding denials or patient rights.
• Constitutional Implications: It raises questions about the federal government's authority to attach conditions to funding (under the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution), which might be seen as coercive for states or private entities reliant on these funds.
• Political Implications: As a post-COVID measure introduced in 2025, it reflects ongoing debates over vaccination policies and individual freedoms versus public health mandates, potentially polarizing views on government intervention in healthcare.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Taylor, David [R-OH-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-14: 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.
• 2025-02-14: 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.
• 2025-02-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• COVID–19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act — issued 2025-02-14 — PDF (2 pages)