University Forced Vaccination Student Injury Mitigation Act of 2024
If enacted, this measure would impose a significant financial responsibility on institutions that require COVID-19 vaccinations. It mandates that these institutions must pay for medical costs associated with diagnoses such as Myocarditis, Pericarditis, and other relevant diseases, as determined by the Secretary of Education. Institutions not complying with this requirement risk losing eligibility for federal funding, thereby incentivizing adherence to the bill's stipulations.
House Bill 10077, known as the University Forced Vaccination Student Injury Mitigation Act of 2024, aims to ensure that certain institutions of higher education cover medical expenses for students diagnosed with specific diseases following a required COVID-19 vaccination. The bill outlines the obligations of covered institutions to pay for these medical costs, conditioned upon the submission of required documentation by the affected students. Medical costs included in the bill are defined to cover a range of expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of specified vaccine-related diseases.
Notably, potential points of contention arise regarding the definitions of 'covered institutions' and 'medical costs.' Concerns may surface surrounding which diseases are included under the act and the adequacy of protections for both students and institutions from fraudulent claims. Institutions could potentially face increased administrative burdens to handle claims for medical cost payments. Furthermore, the bill raises broader questions about the balance of responsibilities between public health policy and individual rights, particularly in educational settings.