Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act of 2026

This bill would expand the Vaccines for Children Program to include children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), providing them access to free vaccinations. It proposes to temporarily set Medicaid and CHIP payment rates for vaccine administration and counseling at levels no lower than those paid by Medicare. Additionally, the bill would increase federal matching funds for states that perform culturally appropriate outreach regarding childhood vaccines and requires a federal report on the impact of these changes.

This bill affects children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), who would become eligible for the Vaccines for Children Program alongside existing eligible groups such as Medicaid-enrolled, uninsured, underinsured, and American Indian or Alaska Native youth. Healthcare providers would see changes in reimbursement rates for vaccine administration and counseling services, while state governments may receive increased federal matching funds for conducting vaccination outreach. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office is required to evaluate and report on the effects of these programmatic changes.

• Expansion of Vaccines for Children Program eligibility. The bill extends the Vaccines for Children Program to include children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
• Minimum payment rates for vaccine services. Medicaid and CHIP are temporarily required to pay for vaccine administration and counseling services at rates no lower than those provided under Medicare for equivalent services.
• Increased federal matching for vaccination outreach. The bill increases the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for states that perform culturally appropriate outreach concerning the benefits of childhood vaccinations.
• Government Accountability Office reporting requirement. The Government Accountability Office is required to report on the effects resulting from the changes made by this legislation.

The bill includes a provision that temporarily requires Medicaid and CHIP payments for vaccine administration and counseling services to match Medicare rates.

This bill modifies the Vaccines for Children Program by expanding eligibility to include children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It also adjusts payment requirements and federal matching rates under the existing Medicaid and CHIP frameworks to align vaccine administration rates with Medicare standards.

The bill aims to expand vaccination programs and coverage for children under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by including CHIP-enrolled children in the Vaccines for Children Program. It further seeks to incentivize pediatric vaccination through increased federal matching rates for state outreach and by ensuring provider reimbursement rates for vaccine administration and counseling are at least equal to Medicare rates.