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H.R. 5448: Protecting Free Vaccines Act

This bill, known as the "Protecting Free Vaccines Act," aims to ensure that certain vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are covered without any cost-sharing for individuals enrolled in various health programs. Here are the main provisions of the bill:

Coverage for Immunizations

The bill mandates that:

Group health plans and health insurance providers must cover vaccines recommended by ACIP as of October 25, 2024, without imposing any out-of-pocket costs on the insured.
This requirement applies to plan years that begin on or after the bill's enactment and will be in effect until January 1, 2030.
Updates to vaccine recommendations or changes following FDA-approved updates are also included in the coverage requirements.

Specific Regulations

Several acts are amended to incorporate these coverage requirements:

Public Health Service Act: Adds a section requiring that group health plans cover recommended immunizations without imposing cost sharing.
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA): Similar amendments ensure that employer-sponsored health plans follow these coverage rules.
Internal Revenue Code: Changes will classify these vaccinations as required coverage under group health plans.
Medicare and Medicaid: The Social Security Act will be revised to denote these vaccination coverage requirements, including specific clauses for pregnant individuals and pediatric vaccines.
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Expansion of coverage requirements for children, mandating the inclusion of necessary vaccines and their administration at no cost to the families.

Implementation Timeline

The provisions will be effective for vaccines recommended after the specified date, establishing a timeline that extends until the end of 2029. The law aims to protect against any changes in vaccine recommendations that occur after October 25, 2024, thereby preventing any removal of coverage for vaccines that are important for public health.

Exceptions

The bill specifies that coverage requirements do not apply if the immunization is administered during a period that does not meet the minimum interval established in existing health guidelines.

Impact on Public Health

The goal of the bill is to facilitate access to crucial vaccinations without cost barriers, which could potentially lead to increased vaccination rates and enhanced public health outcomes across various populations.

Relevant Companies

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This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.

Actions

2 actions

Date	Action
Sep. 18, 2025	Introduced in House
Sep. 18, 2025	Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

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