Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Schrier
Introduced
Summary
Expand access to pediatric vaccines and strengthen payments for giving them. This bill would amend Medicaid, the Vaccines for Children program, and CHIP to widen who is eligible for federally supplied vaccines, guarantee higher payment rates for vaccine administration and counseling, and boost outreach, data access, and reporting to track results.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Quarterly FMAP boost for states
If enacted, the federal Medicaid match (FMAP) would increase by 1 percentage point for each calendar quarter starting on or after January 1, 2027. The bill would also change a legal reference so the new FMAP increase gets the same statutory treatments as earlier FMAP boosts. The technical date change would take effect when the bill is enacted.
Higher vaccine pay for providers
If enacted, Medicaid and CHIP would have to pay providers at least 100% of the Medicare Part B rate for vaccine administration and counseling. This rule would apply from enactment through December 31, 2028. It would apply to fee-for-service care and be extended into managed care plans and certain contracts. The change is intended to help keep providers offering childhood immunizations.
More children eligible for VFC
If enacted, children enrolled in CHIP would be explicitly included in the Vaccines for Children definition of federally vaccine-eligible child. The bill would also cover any child who gets a qualified pediatric vaccine and is not insured for that vaccine. This would extend VFC protections to more children and families.
More data and tribal access for vaccines
If enacted, the CDC would publish pediatric vaccination rates for each State pediatric vaccine program for fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The data would be broken down by region, age, sex, race, ethnicity, and other groups the CDC chooses. The CDC Director would also be authorized to make a data-sharing plan so tribal epidemiology centers can access child and teen health data they need, following federal privacy rules.
Allowed small vaccine fees for families
If enacted, Vaccines for Children providers could charge fees for vaccine administration and for counseling, including when no shot is given. For federally vaccine-eligible children, the first component's fee could not exceed regional cost estimates set by the HHS Secretary. For later vaccine components, fees could not exceed the Medicare Part B rate for that component. Families could face small out-of-pocket administration or counseling fees, but not vaccine purchase costs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Schrier
WA • D
Cosponsors
Joyce (PA)
PA • R
Sponsored 4/21/2026
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov