Bills · HR 950
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 950Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationGovernment studies and investigations
Saving Seniors Money on Prescriptions Act
INTRO FEB 4· LAST ACTION FEB 4
READING
14MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because prescription drug costs are a major concern for many Americans, especially seniors on fixed incomes. If this bill becomes law, it would force a significant increase in transparency from Pharmacy Benefit Managers, which are often criticized for their opaque business practices that can impact drug prices. Voters should care because PBMs play a crucial role in determining what drugs are covered, how much pharmacies are paid, and ultimately, what patients pay at the counter.
If this bill passes, drug plans and the government would have a clearer picture of where drug money goes – from manufacturers to PBMs to pharmacies. This increased visibility could empower plans to negotiate better deals, potentially leading to lower drug costs for seniors or more efficient use of Medicare funds. If it doesn't pass, the current lack of detailed, standardized reporting on PBM financial practices within Medicare Part D would likely continue, leaving less insight into factors driving prescription drug costs.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to define and apply terms like 'generic drug,' 'rebate,' and 'discount' in a clear and consistent way when evaluating their performance against pricing guarantees.
This ensures that pricing agreements are understood transparently and consistently, making it harder for PBMs to obscure actual drug costs or their performance.
PROVISION 02
Mandates PBMs submit an annual report by July 1st to Medicare drug plans and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (upon request), detailing drug-specific pricing, utilization, and cost information.
This creates a consistent stream of detailed data, providing unprecedented insight into how drug costs are structured and managed within Medicare Part D.
PROVISION 03
Requires reports to include specific data such as average wholesale acquisition cost (WAC), average pharmacy reimbursement, total manufacturer rebates, and all other direct/indirect remuneration for each covered drug.
This level of detail exposes the various financial components contributing to drug prices, showing what patients pay, what plans pay, and what PBMs receive.
PROVISION 04
If a PBM owns an affiliated pharmacy, additional reporting is required on the percentage of prescriptions dispensed by their own pharmacies and a comparison of costs between their affiliated pharmacies and independent ones.
This provision addresses concerns about potential conflicts of interest and 'self-dealing' where PBMs might favor their own pharmacies, potentially driving up costs.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
D· Ohio
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
33
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 1 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 4
Introduced in House
FEB 4
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.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 950
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 4, 2025
Last actionFeb 4, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 4, 2025
House BillHR 950Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationGovernment studies and investigations
Saving Seniors Money on Prescriptions Act
INTRODUCED FEB 4, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 4, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
14 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
