Bill Overview
Title: MOONSHOT Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits hospitals, as a condition of Medicare participation, from removing an individual from an organ transplant list, refusing to add an individual to a list, or otherwise adjusting the status of an individual on a list, based on whether the individual has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sponsors: Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals on organ transplant lists or needing transplants worldwide
Estimated Size: 100000
- Individuals who are on organ transplant waiting lists or who may require an organ transplant in the future are directly impacted by this bill.
- The bill specifically protects the rights of individuals who are unvaccinated against COVID-19, ensuring their status on the organ transplant list is not adjusted due to their vaccination status.
- The United States conducts thousands of organ transplants annually. As of 2023, there are over 100,000 people on national organ transplant waiting lists in the U.S.
- Globally, it is estimated that the need for organ transplants is 10-15 times higher than the number of transplants actually performed.
- People with chronic illnesses, such as kidney or liver diseases, are common candidates for organ transplants.
Reasoning
- The target population is primarily comprised of individuals awaiting organ transplants, a critical medical condition group needing protection from non-medical biases.
- The sample needs to include individuals directly affected by the policy, those who may benefit incidentally, as well as those who perceive no change due to their current status.
- Even though the policy addresses a specific demographic, the wider impact on public perception and health policy could introduce broader opinions and reactions.
- When simulating interviews, considering a broad spectrum of health status among those on the waiting list is crucial.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Ohio)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was worried about being removed from the list because I'm unvaccinated.
- This policy gives me peace of mind.
- I think everyone should have a fair chance, regardless of vaccination status.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Retired Engineer (Texas)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was already vaccinated, so this policy won't change much for me.
- It's fair to have these policies but I hope it won't slow down my process.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Freelance Artist (California)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was scared I didn't have a fighting chance without getting a shot.
- This gives me some hope but the waiting is still a nightmare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 1 |
Nurse (Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm in healthcare, so I see both sides.
- Vaccination status shouldn't matter when lives are at stake.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
IT Specialist (New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing this policy exists helps as I'm not vaccinating.
- It's not something affecting me yet but might be in future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Construction Worker (Colorado)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have heard different opinions about vaccines but this shouldn't matter.
- Glad they are focusing on the right things now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Retired (Michigan)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm relieved that such exclusions aren't happening, but not impacted directly yet.
- Vaccination is a personal choice; this shouldn't be a reason to remove people.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Corporate Manager (Washington)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy saved my place on the waiting list.
- Felt discriminated against because of my decision; glad it's not the case now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 1 |
Farmer (Illinois)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Made me feel I wasn't invisible anymore.
- Found it hard to understand why it was an issue in the first place.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Healthcare Administrator (Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about increased administration but agree with fairness.
- This helps vulnerable patients avoid unnecessary barriers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 5: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 10: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy may improve equity in organ transplant access by preventing discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccination status.
- Administrative costs associated with ensuring compliance may involve policy adjustments and training in hospitals.
- Ensuring compliance without compromising public health through significations requires careful planning and oversight.