Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushes major reforms to the nearly 40‑year‑old Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has unveiled ambitious plans to overhaul the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), a federal initiative created in the mid‑1980s to provide damage claims for vaccine‑related injuries. Under the current proposal, the program would expand eligibility, speed up claims processing, and bolster transparency in compensation decisions.
Kennedy argues that the existing VICP is outdated and often slow—legislation in its current form has operated for nearly 40 years without substantial modernization. The proposed changes aim to reduce bureaucratic delay and adapt to modern medical and legal standards, including clearer guidelines on proof thresholds and injury definitions.
Political reaction has been swift: some lawmakers on Capitol Hill expressed cautious optimism, noting that updating a program at the intersection of health and legal systems is overdue. Still, others warned of potential increased liability or fiscal impact if compensation criteria are broadened significantly. Advocates for reform, however, argue that such updates would restore public trust and reflect scientific advancements.
If approved, this overhaul would mark the most extensive reform of the VICP in decades—shaping future vaccine policy and potentially influencing similar programs globally. It also signals RFK Jr.’s growing influence over public health legislation under the current administration’s agenda.
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