Kim Schrier (D-WA)
Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 13 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act of 2026," aims to amend the Social Security Act to improve access to immunizations. It expands the definition of a federally vaccine-eligible child to include those enrolled in certain State child health plans. The legislation also establishes a minimum payment rate for vaccine administration and counseling services through 2028. Additionally, it increases the Federal medical assistance percentage for States that provide specific vaccination outreach. Finally, it addresses data access for tribal epidemiology centers and requires certain public reports and analyses.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Would children be better off under this?
The bill expands vaccine eligibility and ensures higher payment rates for pediatric vaccine administration.
- Scored +6
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill expands the definition of vaccine-eligible children to include those under certain State child health plans.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill enhances access to immunizations for children in State child health plans.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill increases federal medical assistance percentages, which represents an increase in federal outlays.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Eligibility for Vaccines: The bill expands the definition of a "federally vaccine-s eligible child" to include children enrolled for child health assistance under a State child health plan approved under title XXI. (Section 2(a))
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Increased Payment for Services: Providers will receive payment for vaccine administration and counseling services at a rate not less than 100 percent of the rate applicable under part B of title XVIII. This applies to Medicaid and the CHIP program through December 31, 2028. (Section 2(b))
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Increased Federal Support for States: The Federal medical assistance percentage for States and various territories will increase by 1 percentage point starting January 1, 2027. (Section 2(d))
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Improved Public Health Information: The CDC Director may create a data sharing strategy to ensure tribal epidemiology centers have access to necessary health care and public health surveillance data. (Section 2(e))
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Increased Transparency: The CDC will publish information on vaccination rates during fiscal years 2027 and 2028, including data disaggregated by region, age, sex, race, and ethnicity. (Section 2(f))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Stringent Requirements for State Funding: To receive the 1 percentage point increase in Federal medical assistance, States must ensure they provide specific types of culturally competent and effective vaccination outreach messages. (Section 2(d))
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Provider Fee Limitations: For certain qualified pediatric vaccines, providers are limited in the fees they may impose for administration and counseling to ensure they do not exceed specific cost thresholds. (Section 2(c))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill expands vaccine eligibility and ensures higher payment rates for pediatric vaccine administration. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill enhances access to immunizations for children in State child health plans. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill improves data access for tribal epidemiology centers to assist in public health surveillance. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill improves public health infrastructure and vaccination accessibility.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill expands the definition of vaccine-eligible children to include those under certain State child health plans. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill increases the Federal medical assistance percentage for States by 1 percentage point to support vaccination outreach. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill encourages the dissemination of information regarding advancements in vaccine research.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill improves data access for tribal epidemiology centers and requires disaggregated reporting on race and ethnicity. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill increases healthcare access for low-income children through expanded vaccine eligibility.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the CDC to publish disaggregated vaccination rate data on its public website.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill increases federal medical assistance percentages, which represents an increase in federal outlays.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill mandates the publication of data regarding vaccination rates and their effects.
- 10/1/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/31/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/22/2026
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 4/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Maxine DexterDemocrat · Oregon
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
John JoyceRepublican · Pennsylvania
Grace MengDemocrat · New York
Joseph MorelleDemocrat · New York
Dave MinDemocrat · California
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina