Spanberger Wants Free COVID-19 Vaccines for Medicare Beneficiaries

October 21, 2020 by Reece Nations
Spanberger Wants Free COVID-19 Vaccines for Medicare Beneficiaries
Rep. Abigail Spanberger (on right) staying COVID safe. (Photo via Facebook)

WASHINGTON – Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., introduced a bill in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support that would guarantee access to the future novel coronavirus vaccine at no cost to Medicare beneficiaries.

The bill, entitled the “Securing Affordable Vaccines Equally for Seniors Act,” would amend the CARES Act by clarifying its language to authorize Medicare to cover a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use without cost-sharing, according to a press release from Spanberger’s office. Reps. Dusty Johnson, R-N.D., Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., are co-sponsoring the bill in the House. 

“South Dakota has seen firsthand how quickly this virus can impact on our seniors,” Johnson said in a statement. “Making sure that as many people as possible can receive a safe COVID-19 vaccine is critical, and our bill will ensure the vaccine is covered for South Dakota seniors.”


Although the CARES Act already requires Medicare to cover a coronavirus vaccine without any cost-sharing for the beneficiary, the pandemic’s urgency has made an Emergency Use Authorization under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act a more likely avenue for the vaccine to become widely available, according to Spanberger’s release. Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services raised concerns with lawmakers last month about a portion of the CARES Act’s language that might lead to traditional Medicare beneficiaries facing cost-sharing fees for the vaccine.


The bill was introduced in the House Oct. 16 and was referred to the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees, according to congress.gov.


“Seniors are the most vulnerable to COVID-19, and ensuring that older Americans have affordable, easy access to a vaccine must be a top priority,” Spanberger said in a statement. “This bill would correct a critical error in the CARES Act that could inadvertently force Medicare beneficiaries to pay out of pocket for a COVID-19 vaccine.”

Spanberger’s statement continued, “As multiple pharmaceutical companies conduct drug trials on potential vaccines and public health experts warn about a cold-weather resurgence of the coronavirus, correcting this error is an urgent need. Cost shouldn’t be a prohibitive barrier for any American looking to protect themselves with a vaccine, and I’m proud to work quickly – and on a bipartisan basis – to make sure seniors in Central Virginia and across the country can count on a free COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available.”

A+
a-
  • Abigail Spanberger
  • Congress
  • free COVID-19 vaccines
  • Medicare
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Health

    May 25, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    Administration Floats New Rules for Drug Cost Transparency

    WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has proposed using new tools to monitor costs associated with prescription drugs so it can... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has proposed using new tools to monitor costs associated with prescription drugs so it can hold pharma manufacturers accountable for what Medicaid programs pay for them. The Notice of Proposed Rule Making was made through the Department of Health and Human... Read More

    May 24, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    Fourth Death Attributed to Recalled Artificial Tears

    ATLANTA — A fourth death has been linked to a recalled brand of artificial tears made by EzriCare and Delsam... Read More

    ATLANTA — A fourth death has been linked to a recalled brand of artificial tears made by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma, as the number of infections with a highly drug-resistant bacteria grew to 81 across 18 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. The... Read More

    May 24, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    New Study Finds Strong Legs Could Be Key to Strong Heart

    PRAGUE, Czechia — Patients with especially strong legs are less likely to develop heart failure following a heart attack, according... Read More

    PRAGUE, Czechia — Patients with especially strong legs are less likely to develop heart failure following a heart attack, according to a new report from the European Society of Cardiology. Myocardial infarction (a heart attack) is the most common cause of heart failure, with roughly 6%-9%... Read More

    May 24, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    Panel Says Jury Still Out on Oral Screening by Primary Care Providers

    WASHINGTON — An independent panel of health care experts said Tuesday that there’s simply not enough evidence to recommend for... Read More

    WASHINGTON — An independent panel of health care experts said Tuesday that there’s simply not enough evidence to recommend for or against oral health screening being done by primary health care providers. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has been considering making a recommendation on oral... Read More

    May 24, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    Surgeon General Warns Social Media Poses ‘Profound Risk’ to Young People

    WASHINGTON — While social media use may be beneficial to some people, the U.S. surgeon general warned Tuesday that not... Read More

    WASHINGTON — While social media use may be beneficial to some people, the U.S. surgeon general warned Tuesday that not enough is being done to fully understand or address the likely harm it does to the mental health and well-being of children and young adults. Dr.... Read More

    May 23, 2023
    by TWN Staff
    Patients, Caregivers Blame Themselves and Each Other for Home-Based Care Lapses

    NEW YORK — “Broken” home-based health care experiences are causing avoidable hospital readmissions, exacting worrisome financial and psychological tolls on... Read More

    NEW YORK — “Broken” home-based health care experiences are causing avoidable hospital readmissions, exacting worrisome financial and psychological tolls on patients and caregivers alike, a new survey by Tomorrow Health has found. According to the American Hospital Association, 35 million Americans were hospitalized in 2022, with... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top