A bill to provide that members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices may not be terminated except for cause and to require the immediate reinstatement of the members of such advisory committee.
Summary
SB 2483 would restrict the Secretary of Health and Human Services from removing members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) except for cause, and only after notice and an opportunity for a hearing. The bill defines “for cause” to mean inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, and requires HHS to provide a written justification to Congress and the public within one day of any such termination. It also specifies that if an ACIP member is a federal employee, the termination rule applies only to the person’s committee membership and does not affect any separate employment protections.
The bill further directs the Secretary to immediately restore ACIP membership to the composition that existed on June 8, 2025, with reinstated members serving out the remainder of their original terms. For any later vacancies, the Secretary would have to appoint replacements from individuals recommended by the Comptroller General of the United States. In practical terms, the bill would change how ACIP members are removed and replaced, and would lock in a specific committee roster as of a stated date.
Impact
The bill would amend federal law governing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices by limiting the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ discretion to remove committee members and by imposing procedural safeguards and disclosure requirements. It would also mandate reinstatement of the committee’s June 8, 2025 membership and create a new appointment process for future vacancies using Comptroller General recommendations. The affected parties are HHS, ACIP members, and indirectly federal immunization policy stakeholders who rely on ACIP recommendations.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a response to concerns about the stability and independence of ACIP. The introduction by multiple Democratic senators suggests support from sponsors for protecting committee members from removal without cause. No committee debate or recorded votes are available in the provided context, so broader bipartisan sentiment cannot be determined from the record here.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the bill’s restriction on the Secretary of HHS’s authority to remove ACIP members and its requirement to restore a prior committee membership roster. Supporters would view these provisions as protecting scientific independence and insulating the advisory committee from political interference. Opponents may argue that the bill unduly limits executive branch management of a federal advisory committee and effectively overrides recent personnel decisions by statute. The appointment mechanism using Comptroller General recommendations may also be debated as an unusual constraint on the Secretary’s selection authority.
Revises certain references to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in statutory and regulatory law; Requires health benefits coverage for certain immunizations recommended by DOH.
Urging The aha Moku Advisory Committee To Follow Its Adopted Rules Of Practice, Fulfill Its Statutory Duties, Establish Policies To Assure Consistent Standards Of Administrative And Managerial Accountability; And Convening A Working Group To Make Recommendations.
Urging The aha Moku Advisory Committee To Follow Its Adopted Rules Of Practice, Fulfill Its Statutory Duties, Including Complying With The Sunshine Law, Conduct A Performance Review Of Its Executive Director, And Establish Policies To Assure Consistent Standards Of Administrative And Managerial Accountability; And Requesting The Office Of The Auditor To Conduct A Comprehensive Performance And Financial Audit Of The aha Moku Advisory Committee.
Relating to certain advisory entities and work groups under the jurisdiction of the comptroller of public accounts or on which the comptroller's office is represented and to the repeal or redesignation of certain of those entities.