To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to assure pharmacy access and choice for medicare beneficiaries.

Bill: 118-hr-7718
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2024-03-19
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7718 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 19, 2024 Mr. Gallego introduced the following bill; which was 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 A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to assure pharmacy access and choice for medicare beneficiaries.

1. Assuring pharmacy access and choice for medicare beneficiaries Section 1860D–4(b)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–104(b)(1) ) is amended by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (A) In general (i) Participation of any willing pharmacy A PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan shall permit any pharmacy that meets the standard contract terms and conditions under such plan to participate as a network pharmacy of such plan. (ii) Contract terms and conditions (I) In general For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, in accordance with clause (i), contract terms and conditions offered by such PDP sponsor shall be reasonable and relevant according to standards established by the Secretary under subclause (II). (II) Standards Not later than the first Monday in April of 2027, the Secretary shall establish standards for reasonable and relevant contract terms and conditions for purposes of this clause. (III) Request for information Not later than January 1, 2025, for purposes of establishing the standards under subclause (II), the Secretary shall issue a request for information to seek input on trends in prescription drug plan and network pharmacy contract terms and conditions, current prescription drug plan and network pharmacy contracting practices, whether pharmacy reimbursement and dispensing fees under this part cover pharmacy ingredient and operational costs, areas in current regulations or program guidance related to contracting between prescription drug plans and network pharmacies requiring clarification or additional specificity, factors for consideration in determining the reasonableness and relevance of contract terms and conditions between prescription drug plans and network pharmacies, and other issues determined appropriate by the Secretary. .