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Smallpox bills address compensation fears

Congress has recognized the need for a vaccine compensation program, but proposals fall short of health workers' needs, experts say.

By Joel B. Finkelstein, amednews staff. April 21, 2003.

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Washington -- New volunteers for the government's smallpox vaccination program have slowed to a trickle as Congress bickers over the fine print of legislation to compensate health workers who experience severe side effects from the vaccine.

Several Republican bills have been introduced in Congress. One was rejected on the House floor when the GOP forced a vote on the measure. A second House copy of the bill is awaiting committee action. A Senate version of the bill was passed by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

In general, these bills follow the proposal outlined by the Bush administration. Such a program would provide as much as $262,100 for fatal or permanently debilitating reactions to vaccination, with an annual cap of $50,000.

Democrats say those proposals would not provide adequate compensation for someone who can't go back to work or for families who have lost a loved one and breadwinner. They have argued for more generous packages with higher annual and lifetime limits.

"We're glad they are looking at this," said Pat Libbey, executive director of the National Assn. of County and City Health Officials. But he added that he doesn't understand why lawmakers are arguing over the details, considering the relatively low cost of compensating the few people who have severe side effects and the obstacle that the lack of a compensation program poses for the program's success.

Several fatal heart attacks following smallpox vaccinations have lent urgency to calls for a compensation program. Some vaccine recipients also have experienced temporary heart inflammation.