Bill Overview
Title: Restore Parental and Consumer Medical Rights in the Nation's Capital Act
Description: This bill nullifies the following actions of the government of the District of Columbia: Order 2021-148 issued by the Mayor on December 22, 2021 (relating to vaccination requirements for entrance into certain indoor establishments and facilities); and the Coronavirus Immunization of School Students and Early Childhood Workers Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-285), enacted by the District of Columbia Council on January 12, 2022.
Sponsors: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals affected by D.C. vaccination regulations
Estimated Size: 800000
- The bill specifically nullifies local D.C. laws and mandates concerning COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
- Order 2021-148 affected adults and children in D.C. needing vaccinations to enter certain buildings.
- The Coronavirus Immunization of School Students and Early Childhood Workers Amendment Act impacted students, teachers, and childcare workers in D.C.
- Residency in D.C. is approximately 712,000 people as of the last census.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically impacts individuals within the District of Columbia, where residents and visitors have been subject to specific vaccination mandates.
- As the policy nullifies existing mandates, it primarily affects those who have been required to be vaccinated to participate in public activities or are involved in educational settings in D.C.
- The population that is directly impacted is relatively small compared to the entire U.S. populace. Therefore, a variety of perspectives will be required, including those who saw vaccination mandates as necessary and those who view them as restrictive.
- Budget limitations suggest that any potential economic benefit or consequence of policy implementation should not rely on direct financial allocations.
Simulated Interviews
restaurant owner (Washington D.C.)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think easing the mandates will help my business since fewer customers will be turned away.
- Some employees are concerned about health risks, which I understand, but it's critical for us to stay open.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
teacher (Maryland)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry for kids who come from homes that don't prioritize health. Vaccinations are crucial for public safety.
- Removing mandates might increase our health risks in schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
grad student (Washington D.C.)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The mandates were important for my sense of safety on campus.
- Lifting them might make people less willing to adhere to necessary health measures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
healthcare worker (Washington D.C.)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Removing these mandates feels like a step backward after we've made so much progress in managing the pandemic.
- I worry it will increase burden on our healthcare system in D.C. with possible outbreak upticks.
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 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
childcare worker (Virginia)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about children's safety if vaccination protocols are eased.
- We work in close quarters, and any health risk is higher in my environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
software engineer (Washington D.C.)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I do appreciate not having to think about mandates when going out, but I always get vaccinated, so it doesn't affect me much personally.
- I know some people who don't like the mandates, and they feel freer now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
retired (Washington D.C.)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's concerning to me that protections might not be in place for my grandchildren at school.
- I worry that fewer vaccinated people means we're more at risk as a community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
high school student (Washington D.C.)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm relieved that it might be easier to just go out to eat with friends now.
- But I don't want anyone at school to get sick, including me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
nurse (Washington D.C.)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need to be cautious about lifting mandates, considering how contagious the virus is.
- This might lead to more work and stress for us in the health sector.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
small business owner (Washington D.C.)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I can definitely see more people willing to come in with the mandates relaxed.
- Some of my customers appreciated the safety measures though, and might not return.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy affects local D.C. laws rather than enacting federal mandates or programs, resulting in minimal direct federal budget implications.
- Uncertainty in consumer behavior and local economic impact due to changing vaccine mandates.