Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Maternal Immunization Enhancement Act”.
Maternal Immunization Enhancement Act
A BILL
To increase vaccination rates among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
Chip— The term CHIP means the children's health insurance program established under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.) and includes any waivers of such program.
Medicaid— The term Medicaid means the medical assistance program established under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and includes any waivers of such program.
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
State— The term State has the meaning given that term for purposes of title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
Sec. 3 CMS guidance on increasing vaccination rates among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP
In general— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in consultation with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall issue guidance to States on increasing the vaccination rates for Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended vaccines among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.
Requirements— The guidance issued under subsection (a) shall at a minimum include options and best practices for—
increasing the vaccination rates for Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended vaccines among pregnant women, particularly with respect to the influenza, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines;
billing and receiving Federal payments under Medicaid and CHIP for obtaining and administering such recommended vaccines to pregnant women; and
providing counseling and patient outreach and education regarding such vaccines.
Sec. 4 Inclusion of prenatal immunization status for pregnant women quality measure in the core sets of health care quality measures for children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP and adults enrolled in Medicaid
In general— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall include a prenatal immunization status for pregnant women quality measure in—
the core set of child health quality measures for Medicaid and CHIP; and
the adult health care quality measures for Medicaid.
Requirement— The prenatal immunization status for pregnant women quality measure included in such core sets of health quality measures shall measure the percentage of deliveries in which pregnant women received vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during pregnancy.
Sec. 5 GAO report
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress on the vaccination rates among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP with respect to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices vaccines recommended for pregnant women. To the extent data are available, the report shall include the following:
The percentage of pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP who did not receive vaccines paid for by Medicaid or CHIP as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices while pregnant.
To the extent practicable, an analysis of whether structural barriers, such as cost sharing or other specific requirements, are imposed under Medicaid or CHIP which impact the vaccination rates among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP with respect to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices vaccines recommended for pregnant women.
To the extent practicable, an analysis of the reasons why women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP do not receive such recommended vaccines recommended while pregnant.
To the extent practicable, demographic details regarding the population of pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, including race, ethnicity, and rural or urban geographic location.
As the Comptroller General deems appropriate, recommendations for legislative or administrative actions relating to increasing the vaccination rates among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP with respect to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices vaccines recommended for pregnant women.