Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB427

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/19/23
• Refer: 9/19/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Purchasing and distributing vaccines, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

Impact

To fund the vaccine program, AB427 proposes to create a dedicated Vaccine Purchase Fund, which will be financed through assessments imposed on various payers. This includes employee benefit plan administrators, insurers, and self-insured government health plans. Each payer will be assessed an amount proportional to the number of health benefits they administer, ensuring that the financial burden is distributed equitably among those that provide health insurance coverage in the state. The bill also mandates DHS to estimate costs and reassess these fees annually to reflect any changes in vaccine needs or program expenses.

Summary

Assembly Bill 427 aims to establish a program within the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) for the purchasing and distributing of vaccines to individuals who are not eligible for federally funded vaccine programs. This initiative is intended to increase accessibility to essential vaccinations, thereby enhancing public health outcomes within the state. Vaccines covered by this legislation are those recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ensuring alignment with established health standards.

Contention

A notable aspect of this bill is the provision allowing DHS to impose additional assessments as new vaccines are developed, which may lead to concerns around unexpected costs for payers. Stakeholders may raise questions about the long-term sustainability of the Vaccine Purchase Fund, especially in light of potential fluctuations in vaccine demand or the introduction of new vaccines. This component of the bill may prompt discussions regarding how to balance adequate public health funding with the financial capabilities of insurance providers and other stakeholders within Wisconsin's healthcare system.