Improved Vaccination Rates Would Fall Victim to Senate Health Cuts

Scientific American ------ Passage of the Senate’s health care bill, as proposed, would risk eroding national health in one little-discussed way, according to medical experts: It would eliminate cash that pays for vaccines to protect the most vulnerable among us from diseases like mumps, measles or the flu. Former Pres. Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) currently requires new health insurance plans to cover federally recommended vaccines for adults and children, without making patients share the costs through co-pays or deductibles—a “first dollar” coverage mandate meant to help Americans overcome the financial obstacle that had prevented some from obtaining important vaccinations. The bill also more broadly requires essential health services like vaccines to be covered by health insurers. Yet under the Senate proposal states could redefine what constitutes an essential benefit and can decide not to require coverage for certain preventive care—such as vaccines. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.