S 953 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for the establishment of programs and activities to increase influenza vaccination rates through the provision of free vaccines.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

May 1, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. HARKIN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for the establishment of programs and activities to increase influenza vaccination rates through the provision of free vaccines.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Seasonal Influenza and Pandemic Preparation Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FREE INFLUENZA VACCINE PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment- The Secretary shall establish a national voluntary influenza vaccination program for adults and children under which any individual may receive an influenza vaccine at no cost at any federally qualified health center, public or private hospital, physician office, clinic, or other entity determined appropriate by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Participating Entities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REIMBURSEMENT- An entity described in subsection (a) that elects to provide vaccines to individuals through the program shall be reimbursed for the costs of administering such vaccines by the Secretary at the rate determined by the Secretary for such vaccine for purposes of title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or at such higher rate, including cost-based reimbursement, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. Such reimbursement may include the costs of practice expenses or other costs associated with the administration of the influenza vaccine.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LIMITATION ON CHARGES- An entity participating in the program shall not charge a co-payment or apply any other cost-sharing requirements associated with the administration of influenza vaccines, including any co-payment or other cost-sharing for the visit associated with the administration of such vaccine.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION- Participation by an entity in the program shall be voluntary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Public-Private Partnerships-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) GRANTS- The Secretary shall award grants to State and local health departments, public hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and other entities to facilitate the establishment of influenza vaccination programs in partnership with private entities, including retail outlets, pharmacies, faith-based organizations, private employers, and others as determined appropriate by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LIMITATION ON CHARGES- Any influenza vaccination provided to an individual under a grant under this subsection shall be at no cost to the individual.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) REIMBURSEMENT- An entity participating in a program under a grant under this subsection may request reimbursement from the Secretary under the program under subsection (a) in addition to the amounts received under the grant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) School Partnerships-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) GRANTS TO PUBLIC ENTITIES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award grants to local health departments, public hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and other entities to facilitate the development of influenza vaccination programs for students and families of students in partnership with local primary and secondary educational institutions (including private institutions and Head Start programs).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) LIMITATION ON CHARGES- Any influenza vaccination provided to an individual under a grant under this subsection shall be at no cost to the individual.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) GRANTS TO SCHOOLS- The Secretary shall award grants to elementary and secondary schools to facilitate the development of a voluntary influenza vaccination program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) LIMITATION ON CHARGES- Any influenza vaccination provided to an individual under this subsection shall be at no cost to the individual.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Immunization Plans- The Secretary, under the programs under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act, shall develop an immunization plan with immunization target numbers for the respective populations served under the program under each such title. The Secretary shall provide bonus payments to eligible health care providers and other entities who meet immunization targets established by the Secretary in such plans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. PUBLIC OUTREACH.

(a) In General- The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall establish and implement a national public affairs campaign, to be carried out through radio, television, print, and other media and methods determined appropriate by the Secretary, to increase influenza immunization rates.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PROGRAM- The term ‘program’ means the national voluntary influenza vaccination program established under section 2(a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink