Are America's health insurance companies next in the barrel?

[berg80]

For context, Rick Perry once said "Herman's turn in the barrel" in reference to rival Cain during a 2011 radio interview, implying that as a frontrunner, Cain should expect heightened scrutiny and criticism in the political arena.

Major health insurer group says members will continue to cover vaccines, a step that may ease anxiety over acces​

Amid growing concern about Americans’ access to vaccines, the country’s biggest health insurance association said its member plans will continue to cover all shots recommended by a federal advisory committee prior to any changes by its new slate of appointees.

America’s Health Insurance Plans’ announcement comes just ahead of the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ 12 members handpicked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The selection of the five newest members was announced Monday, and their meeting is Thursday and Friday. Experts have speculated that, among other steps, the panel will drop the existing recommendation that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine, a move that could lead to a resurgence of the virus and, as a result, liver disease and cancer.

Major health insurer group says members will continue to cover vaccines, a step that may ease anxiety over access

Amid concern about Americans’ access to vaccines, a major health insurance association said member plans will continue to cover all shots recommended by the ACIP.

www.statnews.com

Health insurers are essentially giving RFK the middle finger on vaccine policy, and in so doing........amazingly.........doing the right thing. Not just according to the science but also their bottom lines. Which, honestly, is their primary motivating factor.

I understand some state's boards of health and healthcare organizations are getting together to take similar steps to keep adhering to CDC guidelines from 2024. IOW, ones based on date, not a political agenda.

 

[Dekster]

I never realistically expected my insurance company not to approve any vaccine I want. I was told that the rabies vaccine is about the only one that takes special approval by a physician to get.

 

[berg80]

I never realistically expected my insurance company not to approve any vaccine I want. I was told that the rabies vaccine is about the only one that takes special approval by a physician to get.

Good for you. But RFK has already restricted access to vaccines as a matter of CDC policy.

 

[Darkwind]

I never realistically expected my insurance company not to approve any vaccine I want. I was told that the rabies vaccine is about the only one that takes special approval by a physician to get.

Really?

When I was bitten by a bat about 8 years ago, there was no approval needed for the rabies regime I went through.

 

[petro]

I can still walk into Walmart for a variety of vaccines. Did the pneumonia one. Considering the shingles vaccine.
Just ain't doing the Covid one.
Ever.

 

[Darkwind]

Good for you. But RFK has already restricted access to vaccines as a matter of CDC policy.

No he hasn't. Any vaccine on the market today can be had by any American, including the worthless COVID-19 shot.

 

[Dekster]

Good for you. But RFK has already restricted access to vaccines as a matter of CDC policy.

Then get your state to authorize them and they will still be available for people with insurance.

 

[berg80]

No he hasn't. Any vaccine on the market today can be had by any American, including the worthless COVID-19 shot.

https://www.axios.com/
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new COVID vaccine policy continues a steady drip of moves that are incrementally raising barriers to accessing shots.

It rewrites pandemic-era rules by narrowing the groups who can get the shots without a prescription — and will make everyone else jump through more hoops to stay COVID-free.

https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/new-covid-vaccine-restriction-rules-rfk-fda

AI Overview

Based on a landmark 2024 study in The Lancet, vaccines have saved an estimated 154 million lives worldwide over the past 50 years, primarily among infants and young children. This makes immunization one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions in history.

 

[berg80]

Then get your state to authorize them and they will still be available for people with insurance.

My state already has. But I'm concerned about what will happen in anti-science red states to appease Dotard.

 

[berg80]

WASHINGTON – AHIP released the following statement today regarding vaccine coverage.

“Health plans are committed to maintaining and ensuring affordable access to vaccines. Health plan coverage decisions for immunizations are grounded in each plan’s ongoing, rigorous review of scientific and clinical evidence, and continual evaluation of multiple sources of data.

“Health plans will continue to cover all ACIP-recommended immunizations that were recommended as of September 1, 2025, including updated formulations of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, with no cost-sharing for patients through the end of 2026.

“While health plans continue to operate in an environment shaped by federal and state laws, as well as program and customer requirements, the evidence-based approach to coverage of immunizations will remain consistent.”

https://www.ahip.org/news/press-releases/ahip-statement-on-vaccine-coverage

Translation; RFK, go **** yourself.

 

[Twisted Gypsy Child]

No he hasn't. Any vaccine on the market today can be had by any American, including the worthless COVID-19 shot.

The latest COVID vaccines come with new FDA limits..​

The agency is limiting the updated shots to people who are at risk for serious complications because they are 65 or older or have other health problems. Until now, COVID vaccines had been available to anyone 6 months and older regardless of their health.

The decision is expected to make it harder for many people, such as healthy children and healthy younger adults, to get a shot ahead of the expected winter COVID surge. That's already generating confusion and apprehension that harkens back to the early days of the pandemic, when people often had to frantically search for a shot.

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/08/27/nx-s1-5515503/fda-covid-vaccines-restricted

 

[Dekster]

My state already has. But I'm concerned about what will happen in anti-science red states to appease Dotard.

Isn't this really fear-mongering everybody when those on medicaid and CHIP the only ones really affected as a practical matter?

 

[Darkwind]

https://www.axios.com/
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new COVID vaccine policy continues a steady drip of moves that are incrementally raising barriers to accessing shots.

It rewrites pandemic-era rules by narrowing the groups who can get the shots without a prescription — and will make everyone else jump through more hoops to stay COVID-free.

https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/new-covid-vaccine-restriction-rules-rfk-fda

AI Overview

Based on a landmark 2024 study in The Lancet, vaccines have saved an estimated 154 million lives worldwide over the past 50 years, primarily among infants and young children. This makes immunization one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions in history.

Axops is extreme as Adolph Hitler in its partisanship and therefore not credible.

Besides, raising barriers is so vague a term as to be meaningless.

If any American wants any specific vaccine that they have not had or want a booster for, they have only ask their Medical professional. Axios has no say in the matter.

 

[berg80]

Isn't this really fear-mongering everybody when those on medicaid and CHIP the only ones really affected as a practical matter?

Because of non-science based vaccine skepticism the US is getting dangerously close to the 92% vaccine rate needed to ensure herd immunity. Meaning if the vaccine trend lines continue downward we'll be at risk for the mini breakouts of disease FL is experiencing because of minitrump's idiocy.

AI Overview

Following recent policy changes to eliminate vaccine mandates, Florida is experiencing small outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like pertussis, chickenpox, and measles. In September 2025, Florida's surgeon general announced plans to phase out all childhood vaccine mandates, which health experts warn could lead to falling immunization rates and further outbreaks.

 

[Dekster]

Because of non-science based vaccine skepticism the US is getting dangerously close to the 92% vaccine rate needed to ensure herd immunity. Meaning if the vaccine trend lines continue downward we'll be at risk for the mini breakouts of disease FL is experiencing because of minitrump's idiocy.

AI Overview

Following recent policy changes to eliminate vaccine mandates, Florida is experiencing small outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like pertussis, chickenpox, and measles. In September 2025, Florida's surgeon general announced plans to phase out all childhood vaccine mandates, which health experts warn could lead to falling immunization rates and further outbreaks.

I've never subscribed to herd immunity. Get them or don't; they work or they won't. It should be individual decisions

 

[struth]

For context, Rick Perry once said "Herman's turn in the barrel" in reference to rival Cain during a 2011 radio interview, implying that as a frontrunner, Cain should expect heightened scrutiny and criticism in the political arena.

Major health insurer group says members will continue to cover vaccines, a step that may ease anxiety over acces​

Amid growing concern about Americans’ access to vaccines, the country’s biggest health insurance association said its member plans will continue to cover all shots recommended by a federal advisory committee prior to any changes by its new slate of appointees.

America’s Health Insurance Plans’ announcement comes just ahead of the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ 12 members handpicked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The selection of the five newest members was announced Monday, and their meeting is Thursday and Friday. Experts have speculated that, among other steps, the panel will drop the existing recommendation that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine, a move that could lead to a resurgence of the virus and, as a result, liver disease and cancer.

Major health insurer group says members will continue to cover vaccines, a step that may ease anxiety over access

Amid concern about Americans’ access to vaccines, a major health insurance association said member plans will continue to cover all shots recommended by the ACIP.

www.statnews.com

Health insurers are essentially giving RFK the middle finger on vaccine policy, and in so doing........amazingly.........doing the right thing. Not just according to the science but also their bottom lines. Which, honestly, is their primary motivating factor.

I understand some state's boards of health and healthcare organizations are getting together to take similar steps to keep adhering to CDC guidelines from 2024. IOW, ones based on date, not a political agenda.

RFK Jr never said private insurance companies can't cover whatever they want.

 

[g5000]

For context, Rick Perry once said "Herman's turn in the barrel" in reference to rival Cain during a 2011 radio interview, implying that as a frontrunner, Cain should expect heightened scrutiny and criticism in the political arena.

Major health insurer group says members will continue to cover vaccines, a step that may ease anxiety over acces​

Amid growing concern about Americans’ access to vaccines, the country’s biggest health insurance association said its member plans will continue to cover all shots recommended by a federal advisory committee prior to any changes by its new slate of appointees.

America’s Health Insurance Plans’ announcement comes just ahead of the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ 12 members handpicked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The selection of the five newest members was announced Monday, and their meeting is Thursday and Friday. Experts have speculated that, among other steps, the panel will drop the existing recommendation that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine, a move that could lead to a resurgence of the virus and, as a result, liver disease and cancer.

Major health insurer group says members will continue to cover vaccines, a step that may ease anxiety over access

Amid concern about Americans’ access to vaccines, a major health insurance association said member plans will continue to cover all shots recommended by the ACIP.

www.statnews.com

Health insurers are essentially giving RFK the middle finger on vaccine policy, and in so doing........amazingly.........doing the right thing. Not just according to the science but also their bottom lines. Which, honestly, is their primary motivating factor.

I understand some state's boards of health and healthcare organizations are getting together to take similar steps to keep adhering to CDC guidelines from 2024. IOW, ones based on date, not a political agenda.

Health insurance in the barrel, you say?

I'm so glad Trump kept his most important promise, and repealed and replaced Obamacare.

TrumpCare has significantly brought down the cost of health insurance. Otherwise, our costs would have continued to skyrocket, pricing more and more people out of the market, forcing them to apply for ObamaCare subsidies and being a huge drain on the Treasury.



.
Oh wait...


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[berg80]

I've never subscribed to herd immunity. Get them or don't; they work or they won't. It should be individual decisions

That's like saying I've never subscribed to the science behind the concept of herd immunity.

AI Overview

A 92% herd immunity threshold typically applies to highly contagious diseases like measles, meaning that about 92-94% of a population needs to be immune (either through vaccination or prior infection) to limit or stop the spread of the disease. This high threshold is necessary for diseases that spread very easily, and it protects vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated.

 

[berg80]

Health insurance in the barrel, you say?

I'm so glad Trump kept his most important promise, and repealed and replaced Obamacare.

TrumpCare has significantly brought down the cost of health insurance. Otherwise, our costs would have continued to skyrocket, pricing more and more people out of the market, forcing them to apply for ObamaCare subsidies and being a huge drain on the Treasury.



.
Oh wait...


.

Yet Dotard's sabotage of Obamacare plans continues.

AI Overview

Yes, ACA (Affordable Care Act) premiums are expected to significantly increase in 2026 for many consumers, with analyses projecting average increases of around 18-20% in base premiums

 

[Dekster]

That's like saying I've never subscribed to the science behind the concept of herd immunity.

AI Overview

A 92% herd immunity threshold typically applies to highly contagious diseases like measles, meaning that about 92-94% of a population needs to be immune (either through vaccination or prior infection) to limit or stop the spread of the disease. This high threshold is necessary for diseases that spread very easily, and it protects vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated.

I am not worried about those who cannot be vaccinated nor those who choose not to be vaccinated. That is their problem, not mine.