Cutting Copays Act

Bill: 118-s-3951
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2024-03-14
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2024-03-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2024-03-14
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Cutting Copays Act</strong></p><p>This bill eliminates cost-sharing for generic drugs for those with the lowest-income under the Medicare prescription drug benefit's Low-Income Subsidy Program beginning in 2026.<br/></p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3951 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 14, 2024 Mr. Casey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Cutting Copays Act . 2. Adjustments to Medicare part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals Section 1860D–14(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–114(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)(D)(ii), by striking that does not exceed $1 for and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting that does not exceed— (I) for a plan year before 2026— (aa) for a generic drug or a preferred drug that is a multiple source drug (as defined in section 1927(k)(7)(A)(i)), $1 or, if less, the copayment amount applicable to an individual under clause (iii); and (bb) for any other drug, $3 or, if less, the copayment amount applicable to an individual under clause (iii); and (II) for plan year 2026 and each subsequent plan year— (aa) for a generic drug, $0; (bb) for a preferred drug that is a multiple source drug (as defined in section 1927(k)(7)(A)(i)), the dollar amount applied under this clause for such a drug for the preceding year, increased by the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index (all items; U.S. city average) as of September of such preceding year, or, if less, the copayment amount applicable to an individual under clause (iii); and (cc) for a drug not described in either item (aa) or (bb), the dollar amount applied under this clause for such a drug for the preceding year, increased in the manner specified in item (bb), or, if less, the copayment amount applicable to an individual under clause (iii). Any amount established under item (bb) or (cc) of subclause (II), that is based on an increase of $1 or $3, that is not a multiple of 5 cents or 10 cents, respectively, shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 cents or 10 cents, respectively. ; and (2) in paragraph (4)(A)(ii), by inserting (before 2026) after a subsequent year .