There are a few notable policy provisions included in what is known as the FY 2026 Labor HHS Appropriations Bill Committee Report. These provide directions to agencies and reflect Congressional priorities, but do not have the force of law. The Senate Committee Report includes the following language relevant to the 317 Program (starting on page 68):
- “317 Immunization Program—The Committee recognizes CDC’s immunization program plays a fundamental role in achieving national immunization goals and sustaining high vaccination coverage. In addition, this program underpins the protection of all children being vaccinated, even those fully insured, by providing Federal, State, and local resources to investigate outbreaks, conduct surveillance, and provide public awareness campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy that continues to be the root cause of outbreaks for measles and other preventable diseases. The Committee continues to expect funding be used to promote vaccinations for vaccine preventable diseases [VPDs] as well as address vaccine hesitancy using well-established science. CDC is encouraged to expand the existing immunization infrastructure, including implementing new strategies for hard-to-reach populations, such as those who may be vaccine-hesitant and those who are underserved due to socioeconomic or other reasons. The Committee requests an update in the fiscal year 2027 CJ [Congressional Justification] on the rate of routine vaccination across all ages, as well as a forward-looking plan to administer missed doses.”
- “Cost Estimates—The Committee reiterates the request for the Fiscal Year 2024 report, included in Public Law 118–47, and requests that the report on estimated funding needs of the Section 317 Immunization Program subsequently be updated and submitted not later than February 1, 2026, to the Committees on Appropriations. The updated report should include an estimate of optimum State and local operations funding, as well as a discussion of the role of the 317 Program, as coverage for vaccination under public and private resources continues to evolve. Estimates should also be included to address the needs of outbreak investigation and response, particularly as measles cases are increasing. The Committee also requests that the report include specific information on the estimated cost to fully address evidence-based public health strategies that could be funded through CDC to improve coverage for HPV and influenza.”
- “Promoting Routine Vaccination—The Committee is concerned about declining rates of vaccination among children ages 24 months and entering kindergarten, resulting in increased outbreaks in preventable, infectious diseases including measles and whooping cough across States. The Committee requests CDC provide an update in the fiscal year 2027 CJ on the vaccine education efforts and the rate of routine vaccination across all ages, as well as an update on the plan to administer missed doses, prioritizing areas with the largest reduction in routine coverage rates. CDC should include updated recommendations about what other tools it could employ to address this issue, as well as a plan to strengthen efforts to combat misinformation about vaccines and vaccination, which are contributing to confusion and hesitancy.”
- “Request for a report on Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices [ACIP] Report—The Committee includes $1,000,000 and directs CDC to enter into a contract with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine [NASEM] to develop a framework that delineates the considerations that should be taken into account when considering prospective voting members of ACIP, as well as recommendations to strengthen the ACIP appointment process. The framework should also address best practices for ensuring transparency, independence, and integrity in the appointment process. NASEM should also include specific criteria in the framework for maintaining a balanced range of expertise across ACIP, and propose any necessary revisions to the conflict of interest policy for ACIP and its working groups.”
- “Vaccines for Children Program—The Vaccines for Children [VFC] program provides safe, effective, and life-saving immunizations for millions of children each year, including the hepatitis B immunization. The hepatitis B immunization alone has prevented 90,100 childhood deaths in the U.S. since 1994—the fourth highest number of deaths prevented out of all 14 of the childhood immunizations. Additionally, all vaccines in the VFC program have gone through multiple rounds of scientific review and rigorous approval processes by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and ACIP. The hepatitis B vaccine has been administered over 1 billion times 71 since its discovery—a clear testament to its safety and efficacy. The Committee urges CDC to continue to fund and maintain the VFC in an effort to prevent chronic illness and death in the United States.”
Grants Management Provisions: The legislation includes this report language on grants administration:
- “Grant Management—Grant terminations can significantly and negatively impact the implementation of programs funded in this Act, as they are intended to be implemented by this agreement. HHS is directed to consult with the Committees prior to terminating grants. The agreement includes a provision requiring notification to the Committees no less than three days prior to announcing or providing notice of a grant termination.”
- “Payment Management System (PMS)—The agreement directs HHS to provide advance notification to the Committees prior to implementing any restrictions that would delay the disbursement of funds to grantees through PMS. The agreement further directs HHS to ensure that disbursements are processed within five business days, except under extraordinary circumstances. For any delays more than five business days, HHS is directed to brief the Committee on the circumstances justifying such delays.”
- “Staffing and restructuring—The Department of Health and Human Services shall support staffing levels necessary to fulfill its statutory responsibilities including carrying out programs, projects, and activities funded in this title of this Act in a timely manner: Provided, that the Secretary shall submit a detailed plan and justification to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and make publicly available to allow for an independent review not less than 60 days prior to initiating the execution of any reorganization moving functions, pursuant to any authorities otherwise provided, carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to another component of the Department of Health and Human Services, relative to how such functions are funded in this Act.”