Rumor: Vaccinations required by Reform Bill?

[PTmorgan]

I heard a rumor from my mom that the healthcare reform bill that just passed includes a provision that "vaccinations have to be up to date to receive medical care".

I've searched for any confirmation, but haven't found any in the quick searches I've done. Has anyone else heard this, or have a link?

I'm hoping it's just an unfounded rumor.

[Fyrestorm]

Well, if it's true, I guess I'll be paying that fine every year

[Mommy2Austin]

Originally Posted by Fyrestorm

Well, if it's true, I guess I'll be paying that fine every year

Ditto!

[DisplacedYooper]

I have a hard time believing that the Feds could require vaxing (there would at least have to be a religious exemption, don't you think?) but I'm concerned about being required to buy private insurance and not being able to find a company willing to insure w/o vaxes.

Does anyone have the facts?

[xmasbaby7]

It is not true.

There are many rumors around this that will intentionally play into the fears of those who opposed it, so you are right to need confirmation.

All rumors about the government "requiring" anything will likely be false.

[an_domhan]

Originally Posted by DisplacedYooper

I have a hard time believing that the Feds could require vaxing

Technically, this will remain at the state level... as it should.

[SunshineJ]

Well I'm still not entirely through the blasted thing, but from what I've read so far, at this time that is not accurate. However, what it does include is the mandate that a public health and safety task force (don't recall the exact name right now) be established to evaluate techniques and practices that are considered safe and conducive to good public health. You know vaccines will be included in that, as they always have been included in such types of things. Once the task force approves something, they will issue their opinions on it and then make suggestions on how such changes will be enforced. Some state funding will be tied to how well their state has implemented the recommendations. So, while the health care bill does *not* directly mandate vaccination to my knowlege at this time, it does leave it wide open to make any changes that will impact vaccination decisions inthe future, and will have to be watched closely for that.

[EviesMom]

No, it's not required by the reform bill. That's a scare tactic being used by political opponents. There will probably be money for systems that call you automatically or send you postcards telling you you're due for a checkup or a vax and you can ignore them.

[PTmorgan]

Wow - thanks, SunshineJ! I'll continue to watch how this develops.

[claddaghmom]

I don't see that anywhere in the bill.

The only thing that could possibly be extrapolated and then connected to vaccines, is the tiny implication of rationed care...and even then I don't have the quote/page b/c I'm on another computer right now.

[serenbat]

I still trust the federal govt over states to keep (or in some cases ADD!) an exemption for vacs-there are states now that don't allow religious exemptions, far more safeguards under the constitution.

[Arduinna]

Originally Posted by an_domhan

Technically, this will remain at the state level... as it should.

There is no way of knowing, it would require predicting the future.