U.S. Rep. Sean Casten is among 78 House Democrats urging top health care CEOs to continue providing vaccine coverage after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month ousted all members of a vaccine advisory board and replaced them with his own picks.
Kennedy, who was a vocal anti-vaccine critic before being appointed by President Trump to the post, removed the 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice on June 9. The committee had been tasked with advising the CDC on how to use vaccines.
The Wall Street Journal is also reporting that Kennedy may soon dismiss the members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of primary care experts that determine which preventive care screenings are covered, “because he views them as too ‘woke.'”
And in May, Kennedy changed the CDC’s recommendations that children and pregnant women receive the COVID-19 shot. Health insurers are still paying for the vaccinations — but with a change to the guidance, less people are expected to receive the shots.
“This announcement, taken in the context of Secretary Kennedy’s longstanding history of vaccine skepticism, has caused concern that under Secretary Kennedy’s influence, ACIP may re-evaluate its support for timetested, safe, and effective vaccines,” the letter reads.
As of June, insurers were still required to cover “high-impact vaccines,” including those for COVID-19, hepatitis, HPV, measles, meningitis, flu, pneumonia, RSV, chicken pox, mpox and shingles.
“Insurance coverage of these routine vaccinations ensures that deadly and dangerous diseases remain controlled, and the American people are protected,” the letter reads.
Casten and Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., led Democrats in signing the letter on Monday to the CEOs of United Health Group, Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Elevance Health, The Cigna Group and Health Care Service Corporation. Members of the Illinois delegation, including Reps. Nikki Budzinski, Danny Davis, Bill Foster, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Jonathan Jackson, Delia Ramirez, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Brad Schneider and Lauren Underwood also signed onto the letter.
The Democrats are asking the CEOs for answers, “given the likelihood of conflicting and politically-influenced guidance,” including whether they will commit to providing coverage without cost-sharing for vaccines if the new panel changes its recommendations.
It also asks the CEOs if they’ll commit to covering “evidence-based vaccination schedules recommended by a preponderance of trusted experts at national medical societies.”