H.R. 497 would prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services from enforcing the rule “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination” published November 5, 2021, which mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for health care providers who wish to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. H.R. 497 also would prohibit the department from creating any new rule with the same purpose.