Naloxone Affordability Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1373
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-04-27
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2023-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-04-27
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Naloxone Affordability Act of 2023</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study health insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs for naloxone as an over-the-counter medication.</p> <p>Naloxone is a medication that temporarily reverses opioid overdoses. Historically, naloxone required a prescription and so was typically covered by health insurance. However, the Food and Drug Administration approved a naloxone nasal spray (sold under the brand name Narcan) for use without a prescription on March 29, 2023, and health insurance does not generally cover over-the-counter medications.</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1373 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 27, 2023 Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Booker , Mr. Marshall , and Mr. Braun ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To increase access to medication for opioid overdose reversal, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Naloxone Affordability Act of 2023 . 2. GAO study on naloxone access (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on actions that may be taken to protect access to naloxone for individuals seeking to purchase naloxone. Such study shall address— (1) coverage of naloxone (in any available form) as an over-the-counter product— (A) under a group health plan or group or individual health insurance coverage (as such terms are defined in section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–91 )); and (B) for individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq. ) or receiving medical assistance under a State plan under title XIX of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) (or a waiver of such plan); and (2) the out-of-pocket cost to consumers purchasing naloxone under any such plan or coverage. (b) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that contains the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).