Ensuring Access to Essential Drugs Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 1922
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1922Health
Ensuring Access to Essential Drugs Act
INTRO MAR 6· LAST ACTION MAR 6
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
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Voters should care about this bill because it could directly impact the cost of prescription drugs for some seniors on Medicare Part D. If this bill becomes law, seniors who take the exempted drugs might face higher out-of-pocket expenses for those medications, especially if they reach the 'coverage gap' in their Part D plan. This could make it harder for some individuals to afford their essential medications.
If the bill does not become law, the current Medicare Part D manufacturer discount program would continue to apply to these drugs, meaning manufacturers would still be required to provide discounts, which helps keep costs lower for beneficiaries during the coverage gap. The bill's outcome could influence the financial burden on seniors and the profitability for certain drug manufacturers.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Exempts specific orally administered drugs from the Medicare Part D manufacturer discount program.
This means drug manufacturers will no longer be required to provide discounts on these particular drugs for Medicare beneficiaries, potentially increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients.
PROVISION 02
The exempted drugs are those initially approved as 'new drugs' by the FDA that also have a 'narrow exception' reclassifying them under the Medicaid drug rebate program.
This provision narrowly defines which drugs are affected, targeting a specific category that has a unique status in another government drug program.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Voters should care about this bill because it could directly impact the cost of prescription drugs for some seniors on Medicare Part D. If this bill becomes law, seniors who take the exempted drugs might face higher out-of-pocket expenses for those medications, especially if they reach the 'coverage gap' in their Part D plan. This could make it harder for some individuals to afford their essential medications.
If the bill does not become law, the current Medicare Part D manufacturer discount program would continue to apply to these drugs, meaning manufacturers would still be required to provide discounts, which helps keep costs lower for beneficiaries during the coverage gap. The bill's outcome could influence the financial burden on seniors and the profitability for certain drug manufacturers.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Exempts specific orally administered drugs from the Medicare Part D manufacturer discount program.
This means drug manufacturers will no longer be required to provide discounts on these particular drugs for Medicare beneficiaries, potentially increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients.
med
The exempted drugs are those initially approved as 'new drugs' by the FDA that also have a 'narrow exception' reclassifying them under the Medicaid drug rebate program.
This provision narrowly defines which drugs are affected, targeting a specific category that has a unique status in another government drug program.
GLOSSARY
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Medicare Part D
A federal program that helps Medicare beneficiaries pay for prescription drugs.
Manufacturer Discount Program
A program within Medicare Part D where drug manufacturers provide discounts on brand-name drugs for beneficiaries who reach a certain level of out-of-pocket spending, often called the 'coverage gap' or 'donut hole'.
New Drug Application (NDA)
A formal submission to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by a drug manufacturer to request permission to market a new drug in the United States.
Social Security Act
The foundational federal law that created Social Security and Medicare, establishing many of the rules for these programs.
Medicaid Drug Rebate Program
A program requiring drug manufacturers to provide rebates to states for covered outpatient drugs dispensed to Medicaid patients, helping to offset the cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
The federal agency that administers the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Programs, providing healthcare coverage to millions of Americans.
Orally Administered Drug
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
MAR 6, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 6, 25
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
