Congress passes smallpox immunization compensation plan

Taking swift action after months of negotiations, Congress passed a bill Friday to compensate volunteers who suffer serious side effects as part of the national smallpox immunization campaign.

The bill has now been sent to the White House for President Bush's signature.

The plan was negotiated between the White House and leading congressional Democrats and was introduced by Rep. Richard Burr, D-N.C., Friday. Both houses passed the bill by voice vote the same day.

Congressional Republican leaders, backed by the White House, have said a compensation plan is urgently needed to encourage participation in the immunization program and defend the United States against a potential bioterrorism attack. Burr introduced a compensation bill late last month but Democrats criticized it as insufficient and the plan was rejected.

Under the newly passed bill, volunteers who are permanently and completely disabled will receive up to $50,000 annually in lost wages, with no lifetime cap. Volunteers who are temporarily or partially disabled can receive the same annual compensation, but they face a lifetime limit of $262,100.

The United States would pay $262,000 to spouses of volunteers who are killed by the vaccine. Dependents of those who are killed can receive $262,000 in a lump sum, or $50,000 annually until they are 18. The United States will not tax the payments, according to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. Lawmakers from both parties hope the bill will jump-start the struggling vaccination program, which has been plagued by concerns about rare, but potentially severe side effects, and the lack of compensation for those who are sickened or killed.

More than 30 cases of heart inflammation have been reported among military and civilian vaccine recipients and U.S. health officials have recorded a number of other complications. While states had hoped to immunize about 450,000 civilians by the end of February, fewer than 32,000 medical and emergency workers have stepped forward to take the vaccine, according to the latest figures provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kennedy negotiated the bill with the White House and was pleased with the results.

"For months we've worked to develop a fair, reasonable package to end this crisis. Today, we can finally say that we have an agreement," Kennedy said.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said the bill would strengthen the immunization program and allay the fears of potential volunteers. He said the move is part of a "long-term strategy" which also includes strengthening the overall public health infrastructure.