HB79, titled the Freedom from Mandates Act, would bar several federal COVID-19 vaccination requirements. It would nullify Executive Order 14042, which related to COVID-19 safety protocols for federal contractors, and Executive Order 14043, which required COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees. The bill also would prohibit the Secretary of Labor from issuing any rule that requires employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccination or to test unvaccinated employees for COVID-19.
In addition, the bill would restrict the Secretary of Health and Human Services from using Medicare or Medicaid participation requirements to force health care providers to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for employees or require testing of unvaccinated employees. It would also prevent HHS from penalizing providers for declining to impose such mandates or testing requirements. The measure is framed broadly as a limitation on federal authority over workplace and health care vaccination policies.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would remove or block federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate authority in several settings: federal contractors, federal employees, private employers through Labor Department rulemaking, and Medicare/Medicaid-participating health care providers. It would directly affect executive orders, future Labor Department regulations, and HHS conditions of participation tied to the Social Security Act programs, limiting federal leverage over employer and provider vaccination policies.
Sentiment
The available context shows the bill was introduced and referred to committee, but there were no recorded committee transcripts or votes provided. Based on the bill text and title, the measure appears to reflect a deregulatory, anti-mandate position emphasizing individual and employer choice over federal vaccination requirements. No formal legislative support or opposition is documented in the supplied materials beyond the introduction and referral.
Contention
The main point of contention is the scope of federal authority to require COVID-19 vaccination or testing in workplaces and health care settings. Supporters would likely view the bill as protecting personal liberty, limiting executive overreach, and preventing federal coercion of employers and providers. Opponents would likely argue that it weakens public health protections and removes tools used to reduce transmission in high-risk settings, especially among federal workers, contractors, and Medicare/Medicaid providers.
Freedom from Mandates Act This bill nullifies certain executive orders regarding COVID-19 safety and prohibits the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) from taking specified actions with respect to vaccination against COVID-19. Specifically, the bill nullifies Executive Order 14042 (relating to ensuring adequate COVID-19 safety protocols for federal contractors) and Executive Order 14043 (requiring COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees). Labor may not issue any rule requiring employers to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or requiring testing of employees who are unvaccinated. HHS may not (1) require a health care provider, as a condition of participation in the Medicare or Medicaid program, to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or require testing of employees who are unvaccinated; or (2) otherwise penalize such a provider for failure to mandate such vaccination or require such testing.