Section 4204

SEC. 4204. IMMUNIZATIONS.

[a] State Authority To Purchase Recommended Vaccines for Adults- Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 247b] is amended by adding at the end the following:

'[l] Authority to Purchase Recommended Vaccines for Adults-

'[1] IN GENERAL- The Secretary may negotiate and enter into contracts with manufacturers of vaccines for the purchase and delivery of vaccines for adults as provided for under subsection [e].

'[2] STATE PURCHASE- A State may obtain additional quantities of such adult vaccines [subject to amounts specified to the Secretary by the State in advance of negotiations] through the purchase of vaccines from manufacturers at the applicable price negotiated by the Secretary under this subsection.'.

[b] Demonstration Program to Improve Immunization Coverage- Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 247b], as amended by subsection [a], is further amended by adding at the end the following:

'[m] Demonstration Program To Improve Immunization Coverage-

'[1] IN GENERAL- The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall establish a demonstration program to award grants to States to improve the provision of recommended immunizations for children, adolescents, and adults through the use of evidence-based, population-based interventions for high-risk populations.

'[2] STATE PLAN- To be eligible for a grant under paragraph [1], a State shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a State plan that describes the interventions to be implemented under the grant and how such interventions match with local needs and capabilities, as determined through consultation with local authorities.

'[3] USE OF FUNDS- Funds received under a grant under this subsection shall be used to implement interventions that are recommended by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services [as established by the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] or other evidence-based interventions, including--

'[A] providing immunization reminders or recalls for target populations of clients, patients, and consumers;

'[B] educating targeted populations and health care providers concerning immunizations in combination with one or more other interventions;

'[C] reducing out-of-pocket costs for families for vaccines and their administration;

'[D] carrying out immunization-promoting strategies for participants or clients of public programs, including assessments of immunization status, referrals to health care providers, education, provision of on-site immunizations, or incentives for immunization;

'[E] providing for home visits that promote immunization through education, assessments of need, referrals, provision of immunizations, or other services;

'[F] providing reminders or recalls for immunization providers;

'[G] conducting assessments of, and providing feedback to, immunization providers;

'[H] any combination of one or more interventions described in this paragraph; or

'[I] immunization information systems to allow all States to have electronic databases for immunization records.

'[4] CONSIDERATION- In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider any reviews or recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services.

'[5] EVALUATION- Not later than 3 years after the date on which a State receives a grant under this subsection, the State shall submit to the Secretary an evaluation of progress made toward improving immunization coverage rates among high-risk populations within the State.

'[6] REPORT TO CONGRESS- Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the Affordable Health Choices Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report concerning the effectiveness of the demonstration program established under this subsection together with recommendations on whether to continue and expand such program.

'[7] AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.'.

[c] Reauthorization of Immunization Program- Section 317[j] of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 247b[j]] is amended--

[1] in paragraph [1], by striking 'for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2005'; and

[2] in paragraph [2], by striking 'after October 1, 1997,'.

[d] Rule of Construction Regarding Access to Immunizations- Nothing in this section [including the amendments made by this section], or any other provision of this Act [including any amendments made by this Act] shall be construed to decrease children's access to immunizations.

[e] GAO Study and Report on Medicare Beneficiary Access to Vaccines-

[1] STUDY- The Comptroller General of the United States [in this section referred to as the 'Comptroller General'] shall conduct a study on the ability of Medicare beneficiaries who were 65 years of age or older to access routinely recommended vaccines covered under the prescription drug program under part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act over the period since the establishment of such program. Such study shall include the following:

[A] An analysis and determination of--

[i] the number of Medicare beneficiaries who were 65 years of age or older and were eligible for a routinely recommended vaccination that was covered under part D;

[ii] the number of such beneficiaries who actually received a routinely recommended vaccination that was covered under part D; and

[iii] any barriers to access by such beneficiaries to routinely recommended vaccinations that were covered under part D.

[B] A summary of the findings and recommendations by government agencies, departments, and advisory bodies [as well as relevant professional organizations] on the impact of coverage under part D of routinely recommended adult immunizations for access to such immunizations by Medicare beneficiaries.

[2] REPORT- Not later than June 1, 2011, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of jurisdiction of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report containing the results of the study conducted under paragraph [1], together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.

[3] FUNDING- Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 to carry out this subsection.