Buchanan wants free COVID-19 vaccine for senior citizens

Those most vulnerable to dying from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, have something else to worry about, according to U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key.

Buchanan said Wednesday that those receiving Medicare would not be able to use those benefits to ensure future COVID-19 vaccines are free. Under Medicare guidelines, beneficiaries must a pay a premium under “emergency use” designations.

it’s contrary to the CARES Act, which Congress passed in March. The bill specifically states that future vaccines would be free to all Americans, but the Medicare provision is contrary to the bill’s intent.

Buchanan has highlighted the discrepancy that could potentially force Medicare patients to be the only Americans to pay a premium for a vaccine in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.

“I am writing to urge you to ensure that all senior citizens enrolled in Medicare are able to receive cost-free coronavirus vaccines as soon as the vaccine becomes available,” Buchanan wrote.

Nationwide, 80% of the COVID-19 fatalities have been over the age of 65. In Manatee County, it’s 77%.

“Seniors are especially vulnerable to coronavirus and should not be delayed access to a potentially life-saving vaccine based on bureaucratic red tape,” Buchanan said. “The cost of the vaccine cannot be a barrier to proper preventative treatment for our nation’s seniors.”

Buchanan said seniors with Medicare already receive annual flu shots for free. He wants the federal government to adopt the same policy for preventative COVID-19 vaccines.

“With a coronavirus vaccine expected as soon as October it is imperative for the Department of Health and Human Services to take immediate action to ensure the 44 million senior citizens enrolled in Medicare can receive the coronavirus vaccine without any out-of-pocket costs,” Buchanan said.