The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released new data showing that over 10 million people with Medicare Part D received a free vaccine in 2023, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. This marked a significant increase from just 3.4 million people receiving covered vaccines in 2021.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the positive impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, stating, “Free vaccines are life changing and lifesaving for millions of Americans’ health and their wallets. While the ongoing first-ever negotiations are making history, we will also make a lasting impact by lowering prescription drug prices for years to come.”

The report by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation revealed notable increases in vaccine uptake and lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors in 2023. For instance, approximately 3.9 million Medicare enrollees received a shingles vaccine, up from about 2.7 million in 2021. Additionally, nearly 1.5 million enrollees received a Tdap vaccine in 2023, compared to about 700,000 in 2021. Moreover, 6.5 million Medicare Part D enrollees accessed an RSV vaccine free of charge in 2023.

In alignment with the Inflation Reduction Act, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released draft guidance for the second cycle of negotiations under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure highlighted the agency's commitment to transparency and collaboration in the Negotiation Program, aiming to increase access to innovative treatments and lower costs for Medicare and taxpayers.

CMS Deputy Administrator Meena Seshamani emphasized the importance of public input in achieving the strongest implementation of the historic law, stating, “Public input is key to achieving the strongest possible implementation of this historic law, which is already lowering health care costs.”

To facilitate public input, CMS is seeking comments on the draft guidance for the second cycle, with the comment period open for 60 days. The agency is also engaging with a Medicare Transaction Facilitator to ensure eligible individuals have access to negotiated maximum fair prices for 2026 and 2027.

In addition to the draft guidance, HHS has released new resources in Chinese (traditional), Vietnamese, and Korean to help individuals understand the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act. Postcards in multiple languages, including English and Spanish, are available on LowerDrugCosts.gov.

For further details on the Inflation Reduction Act and the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, interested parties can access the resources provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.