Schumer Calls for Medicare to Cover Coronavirus Vaccine That Is Still in Development

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has urged Medicare to cover a still-in-development coronavirus vaccine by adding a provision to the spending package being negotiated in Congress, reports Politico Pro . The omnibus measure would ensure seniors can be immunized at no cost, and a spokesperson for the senator said although they do not currently have a cost estimate for Medicare, it should save money in the long term if it prevents people from getting sick. "My plan to have Medicare fully cover the cost of the vaccine will mean no senior will be forced to make the choice between shelling out and going without," Schumer said at a press conference. Congress is presently debating a $2.5 billion funding request from the Trump administration that Democrats like Schumer, as well as a few Republicans, have called inadequate in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. Schumer has proposed an $8.5 billion plan that includes $2 billion to compensate state and local governments and $1 billion for vaccine development.