Senator Vincent Hughes proposes no-cost COVID-19 vaccine in Pennsylvania

State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced Tuesday plans for a proposal to cover the costs of COVID-19 for individuals. The proposal aims to the need to protect public health and to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the Beaver County Radio website, under Hughes proposal, insurance companies would be required to provide the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to policyholders, which would be similar to the coverage insurance companies have provided for COVID-19 testing.

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) would also be required to cover the cost of the vaccine. Senator Vincent Hughes proposal also calls on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to cover the costs of the vaccine for anyone who is not insured.

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“The people did not cause this pandemic,” The Democratic Senator said. “Covering the cost of the vaccine is the least we can do for those who have suffered so much. The people should not be obligated to pay for the vaccine that can save their lives from an infection they did not create and from an incompetent and irresponsible federal response.”

Impact on the poor

Senator Vincent Hughes was motivated to address vaccine costs because of the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on poor, African-American and brown communities.

The promising early results from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca also inspired the senator to introduce the legislation before the vaccine was made available to the public so that the legislature can adequately prepare to assist the people of Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health created a three-phased vaccination plan for the commonwealth, however, that plan does not address costs members of the general public would incur by getting the virus. Hughes is hopeful that his proposal will help increase vaccinations after the administration’s vaccination plan goes into place and will compliment actions taken by the federal government.