Bill Overview
Title: Countermeasure Injury Compensation Fund Amendment Act
Description: This bill modifies a program that compensates individuals for injuries experienced due to medical countermeasures (e.g., vaccines) delivered during certain public health emergencies, including with respect to compensation for COVID-19 vaccine injuries. The bill aligns award determination procedures and other aspects of the program with requirements under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, which provides compensation for injuries or deaths associated with routinely administered vaccines. Additionally, the bill establishes a temporary commission to identify injuries caused by receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must list all identified injuries in a table of conditions that are presumed to be caused by a COVID-19 vaccine, provided there is sufficient scientific evidence linking the injury to the vaccine. If HHS does not include an identified injury in the table, it must publish an explanation of that decision. The bill also allows individuals to resubmit their COVID-19 vaccine compensation claims, including the amounts of previously approved claims, for reconsideration under the provisions set out in the bill.
Sponsors: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with injuries from medical countermeasures, especially COVID-19 vaccines
Estimated Size: 10000
- The bill affects individuals who have experienced injuries from medical countermeasures such as vaccines.
- It specifically targets individuals who have suffered injuries as a result of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Anyone globally who has received a vaccine during public health emergencies and experienced adverse effects may be eligible for compensation programs.
- The amendment to the fund can impact people by potentially easing access to compensation claims based on new injury tables and conditions.
Reasoning
- The population affected by this policy primarily includes individuals who have experienced vaccine-related injuries, especially from COVID-19 vaccinations.
- The program is designed to compensate individuals, so the policy primarily impacts their financial and emotional wellbeing by potentially providing additional compensation avenues.
- Given the restricted budget, only a fraction of those eligible will receive compensation, affecting how many can realistically see changes in wellbeing.
- The policy amendment could have a diverse impact spectrum from significant to none, depending on individual cases and outcomes of claim reconsiderations.
- Some individuals may find comfort in a more comprehensive and standardized approach to recognizing vaccine-related injuries, thus impacting their mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Not everyone eligible may apply, due to various barriers like lack of awareness, belief about the outcome, or personal choice.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse (California)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support vaccines and their role in public health but having pathways for compensation is crucial.
- It was hard to prove that my injury was linked to the vaccine initially. I'm relieved there's now a defined process.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Software Developer (Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wasn't aware I could appeal my initial claim for denied compensation.
- This policy may allow me to receive some support for ongoing medical expenses.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelance Artist (New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've had medical bills pile up due to my condition without any compensation.
- Having a formal structure for reconsideration is a big relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is beneficial for those who've been seriously affected.
- For me, it doesn't change much as my reaction was minor.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Healthcare Consultant (Washington)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm skeptical but cautiously optimistic about receiving compensation.
- More awareness on symptoms and issues recognized by the government could help others like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Army Veteran (Illinois)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, a chance to revisit my claim. My symptoms were ignored before.
- This could help me cover my medical expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Teacher (Georgia)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I didn't experience any issues, but I think it's important for those affected to have support.
- Hope the policy fosters more trust in vaccination programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Graduate Student (Massachusetts)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could streamline the process and address inefficiencies in the system.
- Previously, I felt lost in bureaucratic loops.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retail Manager (Ohio)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally being heard and potentially having my claim reassessed offers hope.
- This is crucial for those like me with denied claims.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Construction Worker (New Mexico)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Resubmission under more fair criteria could relieve some of my financial stress.
- I've been affected emotionally knowing my case was not properly considered.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $80000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $31000000, High: $82000000)
Year 3: $54080000 (Low: $31930000, High: $85070000)
Year 5: $58208400 (Low: $34367500, High: $91583300)
Year 10: $68514356 (Low: $40489288, High: $107597292)
Year 100: $1193150000 (Low: $704935000, High: $1874050000)
Key Considerations
- The administrative and operational costs of the temporary commission.
- Potential increase in qualified compensation claims due to revised criteria for COVID-19 vaccine-related injuries.
- Impact of resubmission of claims on overall fund liability.