Bill Overview
Title: No Mandates for Healthcare Workers Act
Description: This bill prohibits the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from requiring any drug or vaccine or other biological product to be administered to employees of health care providers as a condition of Medicare and Medicaid participation. On November 5, 2021, the CMS issued a rule titled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination . The rule requires health care providers, as a condition of Medicare and Medicaid participation, to ensure that staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sponsors: Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]
Target Audience
Population: Healthcare workers participating in facilities tied to CMS policies
Estimated Size: 22000000
- The bill impacts workers in healthcare facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
- These workers include doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff who may face mandates on vaccines or other biological products today.
- In 2022, there were about 22 million healthcare workers in the United States.
- Globally, there are significantly more healthcare workers, including supporting staff reliant on participation in US healthcare programs.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts healthcare workers who are currently subject to vaccine mandates as part of CMS requirements.
- These workers include nurses, doctors, and other staff in healthcare facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding.
- The policy's impact may vary depending on individual beliefs, health needs, and personal circumstances.
- Some workers might feel relieved from mandatory vaccination pressure, while others may feel less secure about workplace safety.
- The simulation includes individuals from different parts of the US, with varied viewpoints about the policy.
- Considering the budget constraints, the policy should primarily target reducing compliance costs and liability concerns for healthcare facilities.
Simulated Interviews
Registered Nurse (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the importance of vaccines, but I believe in personal choice.
- Mandates make the workplace uncomfortable for some who are vaccine-hesitant.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Healthcare Administrator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the safety and legal implications without a federal mandate.
- It might become harder to enforce safety measures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
Pharmacist (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's important to maintain vaccine mandates to protect vulnerable patients.
- Removing mandates could increase health risks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Surgeon (Chicago, IL)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without mandates, the risk to patients, particularly those at high risk, increases.
- Regulations help us maintain a consistent safety standard.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Hospital Janitorial Staff (Miami, FL)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't like being forced to take a vaccine, especially when I'm unsure about its safety.
- I feel relief if mandates are lifted, even if I'll still consider the vaccine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Vaccine Researcher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Revoking mandates could undermine public health efforts.
- Trust in healthcare is built on safety standards like these.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
Healthcare Policy Analyst (Boston, MA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The lifting of mandates must be balanced with public health data.
- Policy changes mustn't sacrifice community health for individual choice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
Care Home Aide (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Healthcare facilities in rural areas face challenges whether mandates persist or not.
- More guidance needed to balance compliance and safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
Pediatrician (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Protecting children and vulnerable groups is a primary concern.
- Healthcare policies should enforce high safety and immunization standards.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Home Health Aide (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm relieved by the potential removal of mandates, as it respects personal choice.
- Mandates can be stressful, especially with ongoing misinformation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 3: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 5: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 10: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1100000000)
Key Considerations
- The healthcare system's ability to handle potential increases in illness among unvaccinated staff is crucial.
- Public perception and trust in healthcare facilities could be affected by the policy change.
- Potential legal challenges could arise impacting implementation timing and costs.