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Congress·In Committee·6 months ago

House Bill Would Keep CDC-Recommended Vaccines Free Under Most Health Plans Through 2029

Also known as: Protecting Free Vaccines Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(1)
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Positive Impacts(6)
Chronic Illness
Helps
Retiree
Helps
Medicare
Helps
Medicaid
Helps
Pregnant
Helps
Child Tax Credit
Helps

Key Points

  • Requires most private health plans to cover certain CDC-recommended vaccines with no copays or deductibles through 2029.
  • Sets the “covered for free” vaccine list based on what was recommended as of Oct. 25, 2024, even if later recommendations change.
  • Applies to Medicare, Medicaid, and the children’s health insurance program, including vaccine shots and the cost to give them.
  • Limits coverage when a shot is given too soon compared with the minimum recommended time between doses.
  • Goal is to keep vaccine costs from suddenly shifting to patients if federal recommendations are withdrawn or changed.
HealthcareMedicare MedicaidConsumer Protection

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Sep 18, 2025House

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.

Sep 18, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Starting with the plan year that includes the law’s enactment date (timing depends on your plan year)

Private health plans must cover specified ACIP-recommended vaccines with no copays/deductibles

If you have job-based or individual insurance, you’re more likely to pay $0 at the pharmacy/doctor for the covered vaccines (unless you get the dose earlier than the allowed minimum interval).

Beginning with the plan year that includes enactment and continuing until before Jan 1, 2030

Medicare Part D plans apply the protected recommendation rule for certain vaccines

If a vaccine recommendation is later revoked, Part D coverage may still follow the most recent recommendation that applied to you before the revocation, helping keep your out-of-pocket costs down.

From enactment through Dec 31, 2029 (state rollout may vary)

States must cover the specified adult vaccines in Medicaid with no cost-sharing (including benchmark plans)

Adults on Medicaid, including those in limited benchmark benefit packages, should be able to get the covered vaccines without a copay and with fewer coverage denials.

From enactment through Dec 31, 2029

CHIP required vaccine coverage takes effect

Kids on CHIP should have the covered vaccines paid for (including the administration fee) through the end of 2029, helping families avoid out-of-pocket charges.

From enactment through Dec 31, 2029

Vaccines-for-Children program uses the Oct 25, 2024 schedule/list as a floor through 2029

Clinics serving vaccine-eligible kids can keep getting paid for vaccines that were on the schedule/list as of that date even if later changes remove them, reducing sudden coverage drop-offs during 2025–2029.

2029-12-31

Coverage protections sunset

After the end of 2029, these special rules tied to Oct 25, 2024 recommendations may expire unless Congress extends them, so coverage could revert to whatever the standard rules are at that time.

Related News

2 articles
PBS NewsHour·3 months ago

Colorado aims to protect vaccine access as Trump administration casts doubt on safety

The report details how Democratic lawmakers are pushing the Protecting Free Vaccines Act in response to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s overhaul of vaccine advisory panels and changes to federal immunization guidance, aiming to codify no-cost access to established vaccines.

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Federation of State Medical Boards·5 months ago

California Governor signs “Corporate Practice of Medicine” bills into law

The briefing notes the introduction of the Protecting Free Vaccines Act by Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Frank Pallone, which would require Medicare, Medicaid, and private group health plans to cover immunizations recommended by the ACIP prior to October 2024.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Protecting Free Vaccines Act

Bill NumberHR 5448
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred 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.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(72)
D: 72

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.