Gov. Martin O?Malley has proposed a bill to direct the Statewide Advisory Commission on Immunization to examine models of universal vaccine purchasing systems used in other states, and select a system that would work in Maryland.
But the General Assembly?s legislative researchers said establishing universal purchasing programs can carry a hefty price tag; setting up a system in New Jersey carried estimated cost of more than $70 million.
Universal vaccine purchasing systems allow states to purchase vaccines at lower prices and distribute them to doctors. Private practice doctors buy supplies of vaccines, maintain their supplies and cut the loss if the vaccine spoils before use.
“The cornerstone in public health is prevention, and the immunization rates in certain areas aren?t what they should be,” Secretary of the State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene John Colmers said.
He said the department likely would return during the 2008 legislative session with recommendations for creating a universal purchasing system in Maryland.
Lobbyists for physicians in private and public practice said purchasing vaccines has become more burdensome in recent years because of rising drug costs and the increasing number of recommended vaccines.
“We are developing a crisis with physicians? ability to pay for vaccines,” Medchi lobbyist Pam Kasemeyer said. “Physicians purchase the vaccines and they bill for reimbursements and they?re finding that the private sector reimbursements are woefully behind, sometimes not even enough to cover the cost of acquisition.”
