During a Senate hearing on coronavirus measures May 12, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders put U.S. health officials on the spot about whether a Covid-19 vaccine would be available to all Americans, regardless of their ability to pay.
Trump administration officials appearing at the hearing included Dr. Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Brett Giroir.
Sanders asked Hahn whether a Covid-19 vaccine, if it’s developed, “would be distributed to all people free of charge, or make sure at least that everybody in America who needs that vaccine will get it regardless of their income. Is that a fair assumption?” Hahn would only say that “the payment of vaccines is not a responsibility of FDA, but I’m glad to take this back to the task force.”
Sanders then put the same question to Giroir, who said that a vaccine should reach “all segments of society, regardless of their ability to pay.” Sanders stated, “So then you’re telling the American people today that regardless of income, every American will be able to gain access to that vaccine when it comes?” Giroir said that he is “not in control” of that decision. Sanders pressed Giroir, saying, “Well, you represent an administration that makes that decision.” Giroir replied that he would “certainly advocate that everyone is able to receive the vaccine regardless of income or any other circumstance.”
