Bill Sponsor
House Bill 19
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2021
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Apr 21, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Apr 21, 2021
Latest Action
Oct 19, 2021
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
19
Congress
117
Policy Area
Health
Health
Primary focus of measure is science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease; health services administration and funding, including such programs as Medicare and Medicaid; health personnel and medical education; drug use and safety; health care coverage and insurance; health facilities. Measures concerning controlled substances and drug trafficking may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
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Washington
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House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2021

This bill establishes and modifies several programs and requirements to address prescription drug prices.

The bill modifies provisions under Medicare and Medicaid relating to prescription drug coverage and price transparency. Among other changes, the bill

  • requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to publish certain information, as reported by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), relating to generic dispensing rates, drug discounts and rebates, and payments between PBMs, health plans, and pharmacies;
  • caps annual out-of-pocket spending under the Medicare prescription drug benefit;
  • allows prescription drug plan sponsors under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to offer additional plans in a region;
  • requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with PBMs under Medicaid; and
  • allows states to include in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program covered outpatient drugs that are provided as part of physician or outpatient hospital services.

The bill also generally modifies other provisions relating to the regulation and costs of generic and brand-name drugs. Among other changes, the bill

  • prohibits the manufacturer of a brand-name, generic, or biosimilar drug from entering into certain agreements to resolve or settle a patent infringement claim in connection with the sale of a drug or biological product;
  • permanently allows high deductible health plans to waive deductibles for insulin and associated products; and
  • establishes the position of Chief Pharmaceutical Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Text (1)
April 21, 2021
Actions (5)
10/19/2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.
04/22/2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
04/21/2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
04/21/2021
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, 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.
04/21/2021
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Mar 8, 2023 8:11:57 PM