Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) introduced a bill on Tuesday that would hold hospitals accountable if they deny care to patients who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.
The legislation introduced by the Kentucky lawmaker, known as the COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act, would prohibit federal funds from being made available to health care facilities that discriminate against patients based on their COVID-19 vaccination status (pdf).
It would also protect the rights of vulnerable patients to make their own decisions about their health without being penalized, according to the senator.
The legislation is currently co-sponsored by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.)….