In early 2021, as new coronavirus vaccines became available, Sen. Smith understood that they would be key to leading the country out of the pandemic. To ensure cost was not a barrier to getting vaccinated, Sen. Smith pushed her provision to make them free of charge for all Americans, regardless of insurance status. The provision was critical to ensuring vaccines are distributed equitably, as communities of color and low-income families were more likely to be uninsured or underinsured.
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