COVID–19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act
This bill, the COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act, would block federal funding to any health care facility that refuses to provide treatment to an individual based on that person’s COVID-19 vaccination status. It explicitly ties the availability of funds to non-discriminatory treatment practices, applying to funds authorized or appropriated by federal law, including those under Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. In other words, hospitals, clinics, and other facilities that rely on federal payments could lose funding if they deny care solely because a patient is unvaccinated (or, conversely, based on vaccination status in any way tied to treatment decisions). The act uses broad language, with a general “notwithstanding” clause indicating it overrides other laws in determining funding eligibility. It does not define key terms like “facility,” “treatment,” or what constitutes discrimination based on vaccination status, and it does not specify an enforcement mechanism beyond the withholding of federal funds.
Key Points
- 1Prohibits federal funds from being made available to entities that refuse to provide treatment to an individual based on that person’s COVID-19 vaccination status.
- 2Applies to funds authorized or appropriated by federal law, including funds in trust funds and those provided under titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (CHIP) of the Social Security Act.
- 3Uses a broad “Notwithstanding any other provision of law” clause, meaning it takes precedence over conflicting laws when determining eligibility for federal funds.
- 4Does not define key terms (facility, treatment, vaccination status) and does not specify procedural enforcement mechanisms beyond funding denial.
- 5Short title of the bill is the COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act; introduced in the 119th Congress, with sponsors Mrs. Houchin and Mr. Rulli, referred to committees for consideration.