Jeff Bingaman: “in conjunction with Senator Smith, I am introducing the ``Children's Vaccine Access Act of 2004.'' This legislation…”

“in conjunction with Senator Smith, I am introducing the ``Children's Vaccine Access Act of 2004.'' This legislation makes three changes to the Vaccines for Children program with the intent of expanding access and the delivery of vaccines to our Nation's children. This legislation is supported by the Administration and included in the Administration's budget as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. First, the legislation expands access to the Vaccines for Children, or VFC, program for children whose private health insurance does not cover immunizations by allowing children to receive their VFC vaccines at State and local public health clinics. Currently, underinsured children must go to specially designated Federal Qualified Health Centers or rural health centers to receive VFC vaccines. Consequently, our bill expands the number of access points at which children can get the vaccines they need. According to the CDC, there are approximately 3,000 Federally Qualified Health Centers enrolled in VFC, compared with approximately 7,000 health department clinics.”