Appendix D

• Jurisdiction: United States

Appendix D Fiscal Year 2021 Budget, Health Resources and Services Administration

Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees

Page 406

Appropriation Language

Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund

For payments from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund (the ''Trust Fund''), such sums as may be necessary for claims associated with vaccine-related injury or death with respect to vaccines administered after September 30, 1988, pursuant to subtitle 2 of title XXI of the PHS Act, to remain available until expended: Provided, That for necessary administrative expenses, not to exceed [$10,200,000] $16,200,000 shall be available from the Trust Fund to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

	2019	2020	2021	Change
Claims	$225,900,000	$260,400,000	$265,600,000	+$5,200,000
Admin	$9,200,000	$10,200,000	$16,200,000	+$6,000,000
Total	$235,100,000	$270,600,000	$281,800,000	+$11,200,000
FTE	19	21	28	+7

Authorizing Legislation—Public Health Service Act, Title XXI, Subtitle 2, Parts A and D, Sections 2110-19 and 2131-34, as amended by Public Law 114-255, Section 3093(c).

Program Description and Accomplishments

Serving as an alternative to the traditional tort system, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) compensates individuals, or families of individuals, who have been injured by vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for routine administration to children or pregnant women. HRSA administers the VICP, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) represents HHS in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (Court), which ultimately decides to provide compensation or dismiss claims. HRSA receives claims requesting compensation for vaccine injuries or deaths, which the petitioner has served against the HHS Secretary and filed with the Court.

HRSA medical officers with special expertise in pediatrics and adult medicine review these claims along with supporting documentation. HRSA also contracts with health care professionals for claim reviews and with other medical specialists to provide independent claim reviews and to testify in Court. HRSA medical officers develop preliminary recommendations regarding petitioner eligibility for compensation, and DOJ incorporates these recommendations in Rule 4(b) reports submitted to the Court. Lastly, HRSA processes payments to petitioners and their attorneys based on judgments entered by the Court.

HRSA also...