Clearly they are. The temptation is too great not to. When your political enemy is mostly arrayed opposite an issue and you have the chance to leverage that issue to disenfranchise them, you win all current and future battles by doing so. If you assume the right is against mandates, then the best way to beat them bar none is to make their voice in government contingent on compliance. Those who comply will be softened against resistance because they have already compromised their position. Those most strongly against have their voices denied outright.

This is why these issues are foundational to freedom and free speech. "Health" isn't just a potential cudgel against dissent, it is currently used as such. This isn't slippery slope conspiracy; this is clear and present danger.