Vaccine Transportation Access Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6839

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-01-21T09:05:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Vaccine Transportation Access Act aims to improve access to recommended vaccines for individuals in low-income, minority, or other underserved communities where transportation barriers limit healthcare access. It establishes a federal grant program to fund transportation solutions and enhances Medicaid reimbursement for related services.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program Authority: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) awards grants to qualified community organizations (nonprofits with experience managing federal grants and serving underserved populations) to finance projects that remove transportation barriers to "eligible vaccines." These include immunizations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of October 25, 2024, or those endorsed by U.S. professional medical societies based on evidence-based guidelines.
• Implementation and Funding Transfer: HHS must partner with state health agencies to execute the program and transfer appropriated funds to them. Grants last at least 6 months and can support:
• Developing, expanding, or enhancing transportation to vaccine administration sites.
• Providing prescheduled or on-demand rides to/from sites.
• Offering "first and last mile" services (transport from home to public transit or directly to the site if no transit is available, and back).
• Application Requirements: Organizations must submit details on the project, partners (including private and nonprofit entities for coordination), and performance measures to track reductions in missed vaccine appointments.
• Reporting Obligations:
• Grantees submit evaluation reports to HHS within 6 months after the grant period ends.
• HHS provides annual summaries to Congress (House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions).
• Funding: Authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for the program (no specific dollar amount set).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act (which governs Medicaid funding) to increase the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP, the share of Medicaid costs covered by the federal government) to 100% for nonemergency transportation benefits provided to Medicaid-eligible individuals. This applies specifically to costs incurred on or after enactment for transport related to eligible vaccines under state Medicaid plans.
• Introduces a new dedicated grant program under HHS authority, which did not previously exist for this targeted purpose, shifting some administrative duties to state agencies.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: HHS gains new grant administration responsibilities but can delegate to state health agencies, potentially streamlining operations. States may see increased Medicaid funding for transportation, reducing their financial burden, but require coordination with community organizations.
• On Citizens: Improves vaccine access for low-income, minority, or transport-challenged individuals, potentially reducing health disparities, missed appointments, and disease outbreaks in underserved areas. Medicaid enrollees benefit from fully federally funded transport to vaccine sites.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic public health.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Underserved Communities: Residents of low-income, minority, or areas with transportation barriers to healthcare, who gain easier access to vaccines.
• Qualified Community Organizations: Nonprofits experienced in federal grants and serving these populations, eligible for funding to provide transport services.
• State Health Agencies and Medicaid Programs: Responsible for program execution and benefiting from 100% federal reimbursement for qualifying transport costs.
• Federal Government (HHS and CDC): Oversees grants, reporting, and definitions of eligible vaccines; faces new administrative and funding commitments.
• Healthcare Providers and Partners: Clinics, medical societies, and private/nonprofit transport coordinators involved in project implementation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Expands Medicaid's nonemergency transportation benefits (typically state-funded beyond the standard FMAP) to full federal coverage for vaccine-related trips, promoting consistency in public health funding without altering core Medicaid eligibility. The bill's definitions tie eligibility to established ACIP and FDA processes, ensuring alignment with existing regulatory frameworks.
• Constitutional: Supports equal protection principles by targeting health disparities in vulnerable groups, with no apparent conflicts to federalism (as states retain implementation roles) or spending clause authority.
• Political: Advances health equity goals, potentially influencing future public health legislation on access barriers. Annual congressional reporting enhances oversight but may invite debates on program effectiveness and funding levels amid budget constraints.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

Cosponsors (12)

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-12-18: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Vaccine Transportation Access Act — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (7 pages)