Fearing the loss of coverage of Medicaid, some parents rush to vaccinate their children

For two decades, Washington, DC, Pediatrician Lanre Fausi advised parents to safety, side effects and timing. Moreover, But this year, she said, conversations have changed.

“For the first time. Furthermore, I have parents of newborns ask me if their baby will still be able to get vaccines,” said Fausi.

Throughout the country. However, pediatricians say that anxious parents are concerned with access to childhood routine vaccinations, in particular those with children in Medicaid, the government insurance program for low -income families and disabled people. Similarly, Medicaid covers 4 out of 10 children in the United States

“It has become a problem when RFK Jr. Moreover, has entered the role of secretary of the HHS,” said Deborah Greenhouse, a pediatrician in South Carolina.

The concern has accelerated after the reshuffle of an fearing loss coverage medicaid, some advisory body of the Centers for Disease Control. However, Prevention vaccines in June, which raises fears that millions of American families will soon have to pay the shots now covered by their health insurance.

The Secretary of Health and Social Services, Robert F. Consequently, Kennedy Jr.. Similarly, a long-standing anti-vaccine activist, has removed the 17 members of the CDC advisory committee on vaccination practices, the panel responsible for recommending the shots included in the calendars of immunization of adults and childhood of the country.

Kennedy replaced panelists with new members aligned with his opinions. In addition, which caused an alarm among health professionals and public health experts.

“People should be concerned about what will happen to the availability of vaccines for children. For example, ” said Jennifer Tolbert, assistant director of the Medicaid program and not assured in Kff, a non -profit organization of national health who includes Kff Health fearing loss coverage medicaid, some News.

Under the affordable care law, health insurers are required to cover all the vaccines recommended by the ACIP. Meanwhile, States and other jurisdictions use the calendar of infant vaccines to set the vaccination requirements for schoolchildren. Meanwhile, The ACIP recommendations also determine which vaccines are covered by the Vaccines for Children program. Furthermore, an initiative funded by the CDC which provides free vaccinations to low -income and not insured children. Similarly, Half of children in the United States are eligible for the VFC program.

If the new members of the AIPI are the support of a particular vaccine. However, the CDC director agrees, the consequences said Tolbert. Meanwhile, “This would automatically affect what is covered and therefore what vaccines are available for children on Medicaid,” she said.

Health insurance companies have not yet said how they would modify the coverage. Meanwhile, but Tolbert said that such a decision would fearing loss coverage medicaid, some open the door to private insurers to refuse to cover the vaccine.

Pediatricians are concerned about a future where parents may have to choose – pay hundreds of dollars on pocket for blows. leave their children unprotected.

The AHIP Health Insurance Industry group has said that health plans “continue to follow the federal requirements related to the coverage of the vaccines recommended by the ACIP. will continue to support wide access to critical preventive services, including vaccinations”.

The pediatricians say that news about the new law on the budget of President Donald Trump. which should reduce Medicaid spending by around 1 Billion of dollars over the next decade, also aroused parents’ issues.

Although parents are worried about losing their Medicaid. the law does not mention vaccines or does not change the eligibility or advantages for children Medicaid, said Tolbert. But less federal funding means that states will have to make fearing loss coverage medicaid, some decisions on which is covered. which services are offered.

To increase the income necessary to pay Medicaid. states could increase taxes; Move money intended for other expenses, such as education or corrections; Or, more likely, reduce Medicaid spending.

“And they can do so by reducing eligibility to optional populations. by reducing optional services, or by reducing payments to suppliers in the form of supplier prices,” said Tolbert. “We do not know how it will take place, and it will probably be different in all states. »»

In June. Kennedy announced in an article on X that the CDC no longer recommended the COVVI-19 vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women. This decision provoked a trial of the American Academy of Pediatrics. other groups of doctors who seek to freeze the Kennedy directive.

In addition. this month, the new members of the AIPI appointed by Kennedy voted to recommend that adults fearing loss coverage medicaid, some and children no longer receive influenza vaccines with thimérosal, a preservative rarely used in some flu vaccines. Anti-Vaccin activists, including Kennedy, rallied against Thimérosal for decades, alleging links with autism despite no evidence of an association.

“There is no cause of concern,” said Emily Hilliard, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Emily Hilliard. “As secretary Kennedy said, no one will refuse access to a license vaccine if they choose to receive one. »»

“When the ACIPS Committee met last month. they reaffirmed that the flu vaccines will remain accessible and covered, and they have stressed security by ensuring that these vaccines are mercury,” wrote Hilliard. “The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program continues to provide COVVI-19 vaccines at no cost for eligible children when the parent. the supplier and the patient decide that vaccination is appropriate. Medicaid will continue to reimburse the administration costs. »»

But the possibility fearing loss coverage medicaid, some that a vaccine can be limited or not covered by insurance already changes how parents approach vaccination. In the practice of Fausi. parents provide appointments to coincide precisely with the eligibility of their child, sometimes making appointments the same week as their birthdays.

Melissa Mason. pediatrician in Albuquerque, in New Mexico, treated certain patients who contracted measles during the epidemic of several states that started in neighboring Texas.

It fears that any new limitation of access. reimbursement of infant vaccines will not be able to lead to even more preventable diseases and deaths.

At the national level. there have been more than 1,300 cases of measles since January, including three deaths, according to the CDC. “We see this epidemic because the vaccination rates are too low. this allows measles to spread in the community,” said Mason.

Children and adolescents represent 66% of the national cases of measles. Mason began to fearing loss coverage medicaid, some offer the measles vaccine to infants as young as 6 months. six months earlier as standard practice, but still in federal directives.

Last year. global kindergarten vaccination rates fell to the United States at the same time, the number of children with a school vaccination exemption continued to increase.

Pek, or dick – another disease that can be fatal for young children – spreads. As of July 5, more than 15,100 cases had been identified in American residents this year, according to the CDC.

Mason said that darling is particularly dangerous for babies that are too young to receive the vaccine.

For the moment, pediatricians are trying to maintain a feeling of emergency without encouraging panic.

In Columbia, in South Carolina, Greenhouse offered families a flexible age group for routine vaccinations.

“I’m not saying that,” said the pediatrician.

She now urges parents to have their children vaccinated as soon as fearing loss coverage medicaid, some they are eligible.

She described anxious parents asking whether the HPV vaccine. which helps prevent cervical cancer, can be administered to younger children than the registered age of 9 years.

“In fact, two parents asked today if their children aged 7 or 8 could get the HPV fire,” said Greenhouse. “I had to tell them that it is not allowed. »»

The vaccine requiring several interval doses at months apart. the time of greenhouse fears can run for families to obtain the series covered by insurance. If they have to pay from the pocket. she is afraid that some families can choose not to get the second dose. A second dose could cost about $ 300 if not covered by insurance.

“I cannot be 100% sure what the future looks like for some of these vaccines,” said Greenhouse. “I can tell you that it’s a very scary place. »»

Kennedy’s fearing loss coverage medicaid, some recently named vaccination advisory committee is expected to hold its next public meeting in August.