Under the new government spending bill, there are plans to extend the timeframe for individuals who have been harmed by COVID-19 “countermeasures,” including vaccines, to file a claim for compensation.
The bill allows for the refiling of certain claims that were previously denied, and it spans over 1,500 pages.
People who have filed claims under section 319F-4 of the Public Health Service Act, which established the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), may qualify for financial compensation if they have experienced injuries resulting from “countermeasures,” including vaccines, in the event of a public health emergency.
The recently implemented continuing resolution (CR), which serves as a temporary funding solution for the federal government, includes an extension of the filing deadlines under the CICP. These deadlines, previously set at one year from the date of the administered countermeasure that is believed to have caused injury, will now be extended.
Claims under the bill must now be filed within three years of the administration or use of the covered countermeasure, or within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, whichever comes later.
If the new bill is passed, which is expected to happen this week, individuals will be given the opportunity to file their claims until December 2025.
If a claim was denied because it was not filed within the required time period, the individual has the opportunity to refile the claim and have it reconsidered.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, a countermeasure is defined as “a vaccine, medication, device, or other item that is utilized for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a public health emergency or security threat.”
On Wednesday, Newsweek contacted the Health Resource and Services Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, seeking comment and confirmation via email.
The federal public health emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic expired in May 2023, despite the ongoing circulation of the virus and a recent increase in cases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus has infected millions of people and claimed the lives of over 1.2 million Americans.
In December 2020, vaccinations against COVID-19 began after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially authorized the vaccines under Emergency Use Authorization.
Since being first administered in the U.S. four years ago, COVID-19 vaccines have been the subject of controversy, protests, misinformation, and conspiracy theories.
There is a certain level of skepticism surrounding the effectiveness of the vaccine, while others are concerned about potential long-term side effects. According to the CDC, there have been rare instances of serious reactions to the vaccines, such as anaphylaxis and myocarditis.
Vaccine skeptics have initiated legal actions against state and employer vaccine mandates, arguing for the protection of religious freedoms and expressing concerns about the vaccine’s ingredients. Opinions on vaccines and vaccine requirements often align with political affiliations.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican Representative from Georgia, expressed her concerns to The Hill, stating that the current proposal is not just a simple continuation of the budget, but rather evolving into an omnibus bill.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his optimism about avoiding a government shutdown. He emphasized the importance of both chambers working together in a bipartisan manner and prioritizing the needs of American families to successfully complete the task at hand.
The House is expected to hold a vote on the spending bill later this week. In the event that the bill is not approved, the government will commence a shutdown beginning on Saturday.