This bill makes changes to programs that provide vaccines to children. It updates who counts as "federally vaccine-eligible" to include children in State child health programs (CHIP). It requires Medicaid and CHIP to pay for vaccine administration and counseling at a rate no less than 100% of the Medicare Part B rate for services provided from enactment until December 31, 2028. The bill clarifies how providers may charge for administration and counseling under the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, including rules for multi-component vaccines and limits based on regional costs or Medicare rates. It raises each State's Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) by 1 percentage point for calendar quarters beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but ties that increase to requirements that States provide culturally competent vaccination outreach messages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may create a data sharing strategy so tribal epidemiology centers can access child and adolescent public health data. The CDC must publish vaccination rates for pediatric vaccine distribution programs for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, and the Government Accountability Office must report to Congress within two years on how the bill affects vaccination rates and provider participation.
No publicly available information on the total federal cost of the bill. The bill does create identifiable cost-related changes in the text: an increase of 1 percentage point to each State's FMAP for calendar quarters beginning on or after January 1, 2027; and a floor for payment rates for vaccine administration and counseling (not less than 100% of Medicare Part B rates) for services through December 31, 2028. The bill does not include an official cost estimate or appropriation language in the provided text.
The bill's stated purpose is to ensure access to immunizations for children and to strengthen the Vaccines for Children program. Its provisions increase payment rates for vaccine administration and counseling, expand eligibility to include children in State child health programs, require culturally competent outreach for States to receive the FMAP increase, support tribal data access, and require reporting on vaccination rates.
No publicly available information.