Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Vaccine Injury Compensation Modernization Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
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 makes updates to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and changes related laws. It increases the minimum number of special masters who handle petitions and lengthens certain terms. The legislation updates compensation amounts for vaccine-related deaths and pain and suffering. It also increases the statute of limitations for filing a petition from thirty-six months to five years. Finally, the bill adds specific vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Table and raises the vaccine excise tax.
Yes· 3 of 27
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Significant increase in compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress.
- Scored +6
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Expands the statute of limitations and ensures more special masters for fair case resolution.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Increased compensation for vaccine injuries provides critical financial support for those without private means.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Vaccine manufacturers and distributors face higher excise taxes.
- Scored -2
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?
Higher excise taxes on vaccines may be passed down to consumers as higher costs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Compensation for Deaths: Section 2(c)(1) increases the award for a vaccine-related death to an exact amount of $600,000, which provides clearer and potentially higher financial support for families who experience a tragic loss.
-
Higher Cap for Pain and Suffering: Section 2(c)(2) raises the maximum award for actual and projected pain and suffering and emotional distress to $600,000, offering greater financial relief to individuals who suffer vaccine-related injuries.
-
More Time to File Claims: Section 2(d) extends the statute of limitations from thirty-six months to five years, giving everyday people significantly more time to file a petition for compensation.
-
Broader Vaccine Eligibility: Section 3(b) allows individuals who received a COVID-19 vaccine or other newly added vaccines to file a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, expanding access to relief for more people.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Vaccine Excise Tax: Section 6(a) raises the tax on vaccines from 75 cents to $2.20, which could result in higher costs for consumers or the healthcare system.
-
Stricter Initial Filing Requirements: Section 2(e)(1) requires individuals to include all necessary medical records and information directly in their initial petitions, which might create a heavier burden for ordinary citizens trying to file claims without legal assistance.
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 people with disabilities be better off under this? — Significant increase in compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increased compensation for vaccine injuries provides critical financial support for those without private means. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increased compensation and expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Improved access to compensation for vaccine-related injuries. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Improved access to compensation for vaccine-related injuries. Would children be better off under this? — Faster CDC recommendations for child vaccine administration and improved compensation access. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Improved access to compensation for vaccine-related injuries. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Improved compensation access and inclusion of adult vaccines in the program. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Improved access to compensation for vaccine-related injuries. Would retired people be better off under this? — Improved compensation for injuries and inclusion of shingles vaccines. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Includes shingles vaccines in the program and increases compensation for injury/death. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Improved access to compensation for vaccine-related injuries. Would women be better off under this? — Faster CDC recommendations specifically for pregnant women's vaccine administration. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Improved compensation access, specifically including COVID-19 vaccines. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Increased compensation for injuries, though less impactful than for low-income groups. Would men be better off under this? — Improved compensation access for injuries. Would business owners be better off under this? — Vaccine manufacturers and distributors face higher excise taxes.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Provides a clearer and more accessible pathway for vaccine injury compensation. Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — Increases the vaccine excise tax which is typically borne by manufacturers. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Increases excise tax revenue for the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Ensures the compensation program is funded via excise taxes rather than general appropriations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Expands the statute of limitations and ensures more special masters for fair case resolution. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Mandates reporting on pending petitions and hearings to ensure an expeditious resolution. Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases federal mandates regarding vaccine reporting and program management.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Increases compensation for pain and suffering and extends filing deadlines for injured parties. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Higher compensation awards for death and injury can provide financial relief to affected families.
- Healthcare
- Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak? — Integrates COVID-19 vaccines into the established injury compensation framework. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Shortens the timeframe for CDC recommendations on vaccine administration. Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — Higher excise taxes on vaccines may be passed down to consumers as higher costs.
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Marlin StutzmanRepublican · Indiana
Lloyd SmuckerRepublican · Pennsylvania