Pharmacies & Health Retail

Ensuring Accurate Payments to Specialty Pharmacies Act

Mark R. Warner (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require the Health and Human Services Secretary to run a monthly survey of non-retail pharmacies, mainly mail-order and specialty pharmacies, to set Medicaid drug cost benchmarks, would force those pharmacies, including ones affiliated with pharmacy benefit managers, to answer the surveys and have their discounts and price concessions made public, and would allow civil penalties against pharmacies that do not comply. It would also have the Inspector General study how PBM-affiliated pharmacies' reported costs compare to independent ones, with $5 million appropriated for that work in fiscal year 2027 plus $9 million per year starting in fiscal year 2027 for the existing retail pharmacy survey program, and it would bar states from using the new non-retail price data to develop or inform retail pharmacy payment rates. This bill requires mail-order and specialty pharmacies to respond monthly Medicaid pricing surveys with penalties for non-response and public disclosure, while banning states from using that data to cut retail community pharmacies' reimbursement rates.

Where it stands

S5586 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on September 29, 2026. It sits at the committee stage, a choke point where most bills never get a markup, and no hearing or markup is currently scheduled in the available calendar data.

Patients Choice in Specialty Pharmacy Act

Neal P. Dunn (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would bar group health plans other than self-insured plans and health insurers from steering enrollees to specialty pharmacies that the plan or its pharmacy benefit manager owns or controls, including through higher copays, financial incentives, or administrative penalties for using an independent pharmacy. It would also require those plans and insurers to contract with any licensed specialty pharmacy willing to accept uniform network terms and the same reimbursement rates, unless the pharmacy has a fraud or abuse record, is barred from Medicare or a state health program, or poses an imminent patient safety risk, with the rules applying to plan years starting on or after January 1, 2029. This bill directly helps independent specialty pharmacies by barring insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from steering patients to pharmacies they own and requiring plans to accept any willing specialty pharmacy on uniform terms and rates starting in 2029.

Where it stands

HR10549 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 24, 2026. No hearing or markup is currently scheduled in our calendar data.

SUSTAIN 340B Act

Jerry Moran (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This legislation tightens 340B drug discount program eligibility by defining strict patient relationships, limiting contract pharmacy use, and establishing a data clearinghouse to prevent duplicate discounts. It imposes a user fee on participating entities starting in fiscal year 2031 and requires manufacturers to offer drugs at discounted prices to contract pharmacies while prohibiting discrimination by insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. This bill requires pharmacies serving as 340B contract pharmacies to keep three years of auditable records, submit to annual and manufacturer audits, and operate under written agreements, while banning insurers and PBMs from paying them lower reimbursement rates for their 340B status.

Where it stands

The SUSTAIN 340B Act was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on August 5, 2026. This places the bill in committee consideration, where the chair controls the scheduling of a markup.

Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026

Donald Norcross (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would allow qualified addiction specialists and other authorized practitioners to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder to be dispensed at regular pharmacies rather than only at specialized treatment centers. It requires electronic prescribing and informed consent while permitting states to opt out of this expanded access by requesting the Attorney General to stop registering practitioners in their jurisdiction. This bill lets retail pharmacies dispense methadone for opioid use disorder without separate registration, creating a new revenue stream, while requiring them to report methadone orders and use electronic prescribing with informed consent.

Where it stands

The bill was referred on July 20, 2026 to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on the Judiciary, with no primary panel established. The measure is currently under the control of both committee chairs, who decide whether to notice a hearing or markup.

Pharmacists Fight Back [in Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans Act]

Jake Auchincloss (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would set new rules for pharmacy benefit managers administering prescription drug benefits in Federal Employees Health Benefits Program plans, requiring them to reimburse in-network pharmacies the national average drug acquisition cost (or wholesale acquisition cost if the drug is not on that index) plus the lesser of 4 percent of that cost or $50, plus a dispensing fee matching the state Medicaid fee, to apply the full value of manufacturer rebates at the point of sale so copays are calculated on the net price and remit the remaining rebate amount to the plan, to refrain from steering enrollees to affiliated pharmacies, and to stop post-claim fee adjustments that cut pharmacy payments. It would also require open pharmacy networks and annual spending reports, and would let the Office of Personnel Management impose civil money penalties of $10 million per violation on pharmacy benefit managers, capped at $100 million per pharmacy benefits manager per carrier and $50 million per carrier over any 10-year period, with penalties on carriers after five penalties tied to the same pharmacy benefits manager and debarment after 10 penalties, all taking effect two years after enactment. This bill requires pharmacy benefit managers in federal employee health plans to pay in-network pharmacies full drug acquisition cost plus a Medicaid-level dispensing fee, pass rebates to patients at the counter, and open network access to pharmacies on standard contract terms.

Where it stands

HR6610 was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on December 11, 2025 and taken up at a markup on July 22, 2026, where the committee ordered it reported as amended by a vote of 40 to 2. No written report has been filed and no calendar placement appears in the record, and no further meetings are listed in our data.

SECURE 340B Act

Scott H. Peters (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would tighten rules for the 340B drug discount program by defining patient eligibility, regulating contract pharmacies, and requiring independent audits with new financial penalties. It would also establish a user fee on drug purchases and mandate studies on pharmacy costs and hospital debt collection practices. This bill requires pharmacies serving as contract pharmacies to sign written agreements, report full data to covered entities, and stop dispensing 340B drugs to Medicaid patients, while barring insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from paying them lower reimbursement rates.

Where it stands

HR 9599 was referred on July 6, 2026 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Education and Workforce for consideration of provisions within their respective jurisdictions. The bill remains at the committee stage with no scheduled meetings, placing it under the control of the chairs of these three panels.

Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026

Edward J. Markey (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill allows qualified addiction specialists to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder for dispensing at regular pharmacies, bypassing the requirement to use specialized opioid treatment clinics. It permits telemedicine delivery of this treatment and requires electronic prescribing and dispensing in liquid or dispersible tablet forms, while exempting pharmacies from obtaining separate federal registrations for this specific dispensing. This bill lets pharmacies dispense methadone for opioid use disorder without obtaining a separate federal registration, opening a new revenue stream as patients shift from specialized opioid treatment clinics to community pharmacies.

Where it stands

S4941 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on June 24, 2026, where it currently awaits committee action.

Regulate the Price of All Drugs Act

Brad Sherman (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a new Prescription Drug Price Regulatory Commission and direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to set and publish a government-determined fair price for every approved prescription drug in the United States, beginning in 2027, based on production costs, research investment, therapeutic value, and prices in countries like Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. It would make it illegal for manufacturers to sell a drug above that price, backed by civil penalties of 10 times the product of the units sold and the price difference, federal enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission, state attorney general lawsuits, private lawsuits with triple damages or up to $50,000 per violation, potential government march-in rights to license the drug's patent, and possible use of the Defense Production Act to expand domestic supply. This bill requires drug manufacturers to let pharmacies buy prescription drugs at federally set maximum prices starting in 2027, lowering pharmacy purchase costs and allowing sales at the published fair prices.

Where it stands

HR 9040 was referred on May 26, 2026 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and, in addition, to the Committees on the Judiciary and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, each committee considering the provisions within its jurisdiction. The bill sits at the referred stage, where House bills commonly stall, and no committee meetings are scheduled in the calendar data.

PBM Act

Diana Harshbarger (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would make it illegal for any company to own both a pharmacy and a pharmacy benefit manager or health insurer, and would require companies with those combined holdings to sell off their pharmacies within one year of enactment. It would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, state attorneys general, and private individuals, with violators facing monthly transfers of 10 percent of profits into escrow, forced sales through a trustee, and disgorgement of pharmacy revenue into a fund for harmed consumers. This bill requires any insurance company or pharmacy benefit manager that owns a pharmacy to sell it within one year, and businesses that fail to divest face escrowed profits, disgorgement of pharmacy revenue, and FTC reporting.

Where it stands

HR8779 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on May 13, 2026, and sits at the earliest stage of House consideration. Under House practice, whether and when the committee acts on the bill is the chair's call.

PBM Act

Elizabeth Warren (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would make it illegal for any company to own both a pharmacy and a pharmacy benefit manager or health insurance company, and would require any company currently holding such combinations to divest its pharmacy within one year of enactment. Companies that miss the deadline would face monthly escrow of 10 percent of their profits, a divestiture trustee empowered to sell the pharmacy, and enforcement through FTC and Justice Department actions, state attorneys general, and private lawsuits carrying treble damages and disgorgement of pharmacy revenue. This bill bars insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies, forcing any pharmacy owned by such an entity to be divested within one year, while independent pharmacies could gain prescription volume and fairer contract terms.

Where it stands

S4509 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on May 13, 2026. It is now in the referred stage, where the committee is under no obligation to act and most bills go no further.

PEARL Act

Tim Burchett (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill prohibits requiring pharmacists to dispense or sell mifepristone and misoprostol for abortion services if doing so conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs. It also grants pharmacists the right to sue in federal court if they face punishment or mandatory dispensing requirements in violation of this protection. This bill protects pharmacists at retail pharmacies from being punished or required to dispense abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol against their religious beliefs, and lets them sue employers or agencies that force them to.

Where it stands

The PEARL Act was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 20, 2026. This places the measure in the committee stage where the chair controls the scheduling of a hearing or markup.

Rx ACCESS Act

Tom Cotton (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would require pharmacy benefit managers under the TRICARE program to reimburse retail pharmacies at least the drug acquisition cost plus the state Medicaid dispensing fee and would prohibit them from charging pharmacies any additional fees. It also mandates that the Comptroller General conduct an annual audit of these reimbursement rates and the adequacy of the pharmacy network. This bill guarantees TRICARE retail pharmacies reimbursement at least equal to their drug acquisition cost plus a dispensing fee and prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from charging them point-of-sale, retroactive, or hidden fees.

Where it stands

S4106 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services on March 17, 2026, and a Star Print was ordered on April 13, 2026.

Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

Adrian Smith (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a new Medicare Part B benefit covering evaluation and management visits that pharmacists provide for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, strep throat, or conditions tied to a declared public health emergency, when furnished under any physician supervision or collaboration a state law requires, paying 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of the physician fee schedule amount starting January 1, 2028. It would also bar pharmacists from balance billing Medicare patients beyond the allowed amount for those services, and it would zero out the Medicare Improvement Fund, cutting it from about $2.06 billion to $0. This bill lets community and chain pharmacies bill Medicare Part B starting January 1, 2028 for pharmacist-provided testing and treatment of COVID-19, flu, RSV, and strep throat, paying 80 percent of allowed charges and barring extra billing of patients.

Where it stands

At a markup on May 21, 2026, the House Committee on Ways and Means ordered HR3164 reported in the nature of a substitute by voice vote, and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the other committee of referral, held a hearing on September 15, 2026. No written report has been filed, no calendar placement appears on the record, and the bill has not been scheduled for floor action.

Mental Health TALK SAFE Act of 2026

Neal P. Dunn (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill permits the prescription of certain controlled substances for mental health and opioid use disorders after a single telehealth evaluation, subject to operational standards for telehealth entities. It also allows psychiatrists to practice across state lines under their home state license and prohibits pharmacists from refusing telehealth prescriptions solely due to their delivery method. This bill directly regulates pharmacies and health retailers by barring pharmacists from refusing telehealth-issued controlled substance prescriptions solely because of how they were issued, with civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation.

Where it stands

The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on the Judiciary on January 9, 2026. This multiple referral places the measure under the control of both committee chairs, who decide whether to schedule a hearing or markup.

Pharmacists Fight Back in Medicare and Medicaid Act

Jake Auchincloss (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal requires Medicare and Medicaid pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse pharmacies based on national average drug acquisition costs plus a fixed margin and prohibits steering patients to affiliated pharmacies. It also mandates that PBMs pass manufacturer rebates directly to insurers or states to lower patient out-of-pocket costs, effective for plan years starting in 2027. This bill directly affects pharmacies and health retailers by requiring Medicare and Medicaid benefit managers to pay in-network pharmacies based on drug acquisition costs plus dispensing fees and to stop steering patients to affiliated pharmacies, while requiring pharmacies to report acquisition prices in surveys.

Where it stands

HR 6609 was referred on December 11, 2025, to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means, with no primary committee designated in the record. The bill remains in the referred stage, having seen no hearings, markups, or other committee actions to date.

Rx ACCESS Act

Jennifer A. Kiggans (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill requires the Department of Defense to set minimum reimbursement rates for retail pharmacies in the TRICARE program and prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from charging hidden fees. It allows TRICARE beneficiaries to choose how they receive certain non-generic maintenance medications beginning October 1, 2026, and mandates annual independent audits of the pharmacy network. This bill guarantees TRICARE retail pharmacies minimum reimbursement covering drug costs and dispensing fees, and bars pharmacy benefit managers from charging them hidden fees, directly improving their margins.

Where it stands

The Rx ACCESS Act was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services on December 3, 2025, and is currently stalled in that committee. The related Senate measure S4106 has not been reported or passed by a chamber, with its latest action being an order for a Star Print on April 13, 2026.

LABEL Act

Barry Moore (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would deem abortion-inducing drugs misbranded unless their labels include the name and address of the dispenser and the name of the prescriber. It also prohibits states from enforcing any labeling rules for these drugs that are less strict than this new federal standard. This bill requires pharmacies dispensing abortion-inducing drugs, including mail-order pharmacies, to label every unit with the dispenser's name and address and the prescriber's name, or the drugs are deemed misbranded.

Where it stands

The LABEL Act is referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as of November 7, 2025. The committee chair controls whether a hearing or markup is scheduled.

Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act

James Lankford (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill requires Medicare drug plan sponsors to pay a $30 supply fee to long-term care pharmacies for certain prescriptions in 2026, with the fee adjusted for inflation in 2027. The federal government will fully reimburse plan sponsors for these fees through subsidies, and the Government Accountability Office must study the financial sustainability of these pharmacies. This bill requires Medicare drug plans to pay long-term care pharmacies a $30 supply fee for certain prescriptions starting in 2026, giving those pharmacies extra guaranteed revenue while retail and mail-order competitors may lose ground.

Where it stands

S3159 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on November 7, 2025, where it remains stalled with no hearings or markups scheduled. The companion House bill HR5031 is also pending in the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means.

Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act

Chuck Grassley (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would allow Medicare to pay for pharmacist services in health professional shortage areas and medically underserved regions starting January 1, 2027. It sets the reimbursement rate at 80 percent of the lower of the actual charge or 85 percent of the physician fee schedule amount. This bill lets Medicare directly pay pharmacies and pharmacists for covered services in health professional shortage areas and medically underserved regions starting in 2027, giving those businesses a new revenue stream at 80 percent of billed rates.

Where it stands

The bill is currently in the Senate Committee on Finance, having been read twice and referred there on September 15, 2025. This position means the committee chair controls whether the measure advances to a markup or remains dormant, as committees are not required to act on referred bills.

Drug Shortage Compounding Patient Access Act of 2025

Diana Harshbarger (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill allows licensed pharmacists or physicians to compound certain shortage drugs for urgent administration in clinical settings without an individual patient prescription, provided specific safety and reporting conditions are met. It also expands manufacturer reporting duties to include surges in demand and requires the FDA to publicly list evaluations of bulk drug substances. This bill lets licensed pharmacists compound shortage drugs for urgent clinical use without an individual patient prescription, while requiring them to add urgent-use labeling to packaging and report adverse events to MedWatch within 15 days.

Where it stands

HR 5316 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 11, 2025, and currently sits in that committee with no upcoming meetings scheduled.

340B ACCESS Act

Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would restrict eligibility for the 340B drug pricing program by tightening patient definitions and hospital requirements while mandating stricter data reporting and audits. It would also limit fees charged by third-party administrators and pharmacies and prohibit insurers from discriminating against participating entities. This bill requires contract pharmacies dispensing 340B drugs to add claims modifiers, report dispensing data, and repay discounts or face penalties if they break compliance rules, while barring insurers and benefit managers from paying or treating them differently.

Where it stands

The 340B ACCESS Act was referred on September 10, 2025, to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. This multiple referral places the bill at the initial committee stage, where each committee acts only on provisions within its jurisdiction, and the Speaker has not yet set a time limit for consideration.

Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act

Beth Van Duyne (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill requires Medicare Part D plan sponsors to pay a $30 supply fee to long-term care pharmacies for each specified prescription dispensed to eligible beneficiaries in 2026, with the amount increased by the annual percentage increase in 2027. The federal government reimburses plan sponsors for these fees through subsidies paid within 18 months of the plan year's end, and the Government Accountability Office is required to study the economic sustainability of these pharmacies. This bill requires Medicare Part D plans to pay long-term care pharmacies a $30 supply fee for each specified prescription dispensed, giving those pharmacies new guaranteed income while other retail pharmacies gain nothing and face indirect competitive pressure.

Where it stands

HR 5031 is stalled in the House following its referral on August 22, 2025, to both the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. No primary committee is designated, so the chairs of both panels act as gatekeepers for the measure.

Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

John Thune (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would allow Medicare Part B to cover specific pharmacist services, such as testing and treatment for certain respiratory illnesses, provided they are performed under physician supervision or collaboration. The bill sets payment rates for these services at 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or a percentage of the standard physician fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026. This bill lets Medicare Part B pay community and independent pharmacies at 80 percent of the fee schedule for pharmacist services like flu and strep testing done with physician collaboration, creating a new revenue stream starting in 2026.

Where it stands

The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance on July 24, 2025, and is currently stalled with no scheduled meetings. The prior version S2477 was never reported, while the related House bill HR3164 was ordered reported on May 21, 2026.

Access to Birth Control Act

Cory A. Booker (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require pharmacies that stock or handle FDA-approved contraception to provide it to customers without delay, and if an item is out of stock, to immediately offer a referral, prescription transfer, or expedited order, while barring staff from intimidating customers, obstructing service, misleading them about availability, breaching confidentiality, or withholding a returned prescription. Pharmacies that do not normally stock contraception, or that refuse based on a valid prescription requirement, inability to pay, or professional clinical judgment, would be exempt, but violators could face federal civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day capped at $100,000 per proceeding plus private lawsuits, and the bill would bar religious freedom claims as a defense, taking effect 31 days after enactment. This bill requires pharmacies that stock contraception to dispense it without delay or offer referrals and expedited ordering, prohibits staff harassment or misrepresentation, and exposes noncompliant pharmacies to civil penalties and private lawsuits.

Where it stands

The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on July 16, 2025, and a Star Print was ordered on August 1, 2025. With no hearing or markup scheduled, it now sits with that committee and the action trail currently ends at referral.

PBM Reform Act of 2025

Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require pharmacy benefit managers to disclose drug costs and rebates while prohibiting spread pricing in Medicaid contracts. It would also mandate that Medicare plans accept any willing pharmacy and establish new reporting standards and penalties for noncompliance. This bill requires Medicare plans to accept any willing pharmacy, bans PBM spread pricing and mandates rebate pass-through to pharmacies, lets pharmacies report PBM violations with retaliation protections, but imposes survey reporting duties and civil penalties on retail community pharmacies.

Where it stands

HR4317 was referred on July 10, 2025, to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, with no primary committee identified. The bill is currently stalled as no hearings or markups are scheduled, and the chairs of all three committees act as gatekeepers for their respective jurisdictions.

Access to Birth Control Act

Robin L. Kelly (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require pharmacies that stock contraceptives to provide FDA-approved birth control or related medications to customers without delay, and if an item is out of stock, to immediately tell the customer and either transfer the prescription to another pharmacy or expedite an order. It would bar pharmacies and their staff from intimidating customers, obstructing service, misrepresenting availability, breaching confidentiality, or refusing to return a valid prescription, with civil penalties up to $1,000 per day (capped at $100,000 per proceeding) and a private right of action for aggrieved customers, while allowing refusals based on lack of a prescription, inability to pay, or professional clinical judgment and letting stricter state laws stand. This bill requires pharmacies stocking FDA-approved contraceptives to dispense them without delay, offer referrals when out of stock, and prohibits harassment, exposing violating pharmacies to civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day and private lawsuits.

Where it stands

HR4084 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 23, 2025 and sits at the committee stage, where the committee chair decides whether the bill ever gets a hearing or a markup.

Safe Prescribing Through Reporting Act of 2025

Mike Kennedy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require the release of records about prescribing or dispensing substance use disorder medications to state prescription drug monitoring programs. This disclosure is permitted only when the specific records are related to those medications and when state law mandates the reporting. This bill lets pharmacies and health retailers that dispense substance use disorder medications report those dispensing records to state prescription drug monitoring programs, creating new compliance and reporting duties for their counters.

Where it stands

HR3595 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on May 23, 2025, where the chair controls whether a markup occurs. The measure is currently stalled with no scheduled meetings in the available data.

Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act of 2025

Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill requires federal regulators to establish a program allowing US pharmacies, wholesalers, and individuals to import certain prescription drugs from Canada, the UK, the EU, and Switzerland. It also prohibits drug manufacturers from charging higher prices to or restricting supply for foreign sellers who participate in this importation program. This bill lets community and chain pharmacies import qualifying prescription drugs from Canada, the UK, the EU, and Switzerland to sell at lower cost, but requires them to file reports on each drug they import.

Where it stands

The bill is currently referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as of May 1, 2025. This stage places the measure in the committee's custody, where the chair controls whether to schedule a hearing or markup.

Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act

Mark R. Warner (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This act amends Medicare rules to expand home infusion therapy coverage by including pharmacy services, allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to establish care plans, and setting specific payment rates for drugs administered without a supplier present. It also restricts separate Medicare payments for certain infusion supplies on days when home infusion therapy is already reimbursed, effective January 1, 2026. This bill directly benefits pharmacies providing home infusion services by adding pharmacy services to Medicare's covered home infusion therapy, allowing pharmacies to bill for covered therapy when no supplier is present starting in 2026.

Where it stands

S1058 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on March 13, 2025. No meetings are currently scheduled for the bill, and its companion HR2172 remains in House committee.

Protecting Pharmacies in Medicaid Act

Peter Welch (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill mandates that Medicaid drug payments to pharmacies operate on a transparent pass-through pricing model, prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers from retaining the difference between what they charge the state and what they pay the pharmacy. It also requires the federal government to conduct monthly surveys of retail and non-retail pharmacy drug prices to establish accurate national average acquisition cost benchmarks. This bill helps community and retail pharmacies by requiring Medicaid drug payments to be passed through in full by pharmacy benefit managers, while obligating retail and non-retail pharmacies to respond to monthly price surveys, backed by civil money penalties.

Where it stands

S927 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on March 11, 2025, with no subsequent action recorded. The bill remains in committee with no scheduled hearings or markups listed in the calendar data.

DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal extends a Medicare transition rule for durable medical equipment in non-rural areas through December 31, 2025, and delays the implementation of further payment adjustments for all areas until January 1, 2026. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to carry out these changes using program instructions or other methods. This bill keeps current Medicare payment rates for pharmacies and health retailers that sell durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies by delaying lower competitive bidding rates through the end of 2025.

Where it stands

HR 2005 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Ways and Means on March 10, 2025, and the Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on the measure on January 8, 2026.

Bipartisan Health Care Act

This is an omnibus proposal impacting several different industries, including Pharmacies & Health Retail.

Ron Wyden (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would reform pharmacy benefit manager practices by mandating transparency, prohibiting spread pricing, and requiring full rebate pass-through to health plans. It would also reauthorize and fund various public health programs, expand Medicaid and Medicare access, and improve provider directory accuracy. This bill directly affects community, chain, and non-retail pharmacies by banning PBM spread pricing in Medicaid, requiring accurate Medicaid payment surveys with civil penalties for nonresponse, granting any-willing-pharmacy participation rights in Medicare drug plans with anti-retaliation protections, and allowing pharmacies to deliver Schedule III through V controlled substances.

Where it stands

S891 is referred to the Senate Committee on Finance following its second reading on March 6, 2025. No meetings or markup notices are currently scheduled for the bill.

Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2025

Chuck Grassley (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from retaining price differences between what health plans pay and what pharmacies receive, unless they pass along all rebates and provide full cost disclosures. It also mandates annual transparency reports to regulators regarding fees, clawbacks, and formulary changes, while allowing federal and state enforcement with civil penalties up to one million dollars per violation. This bill directly helps pharmacies by making it illegal for pharmacy benefit managers to claw back reimbursements or lower payments unfairly, and it also bars pharmacies from retaliating against whistleblowers who report violations.

Where it stands

S526 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 11, 2025. The measure remains in committee with no upcoming meetings scheduled and no hearing or markup actions recorded in the current record.

Prescription Freedom Act of 2025

Andy Biggs (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would repeal the federal Food and Drug Administration's authority to mandate that certain drugs be dispensed only with a prescription, shifting regulatory control over prescription status to individual state laws. This change would take effect six months after the law is signed, with a specific exception allowing federal authorities to continue regulating drugs intended for terminating a pregnancy. This bill lets pharmacies and health retailers sell many drugs over the counter that now require prescriptions, ending the federal prescription mandate and leaving dispensing rules to state law, though pregnancy-terminating drugs stay federally controlled.

Where it stands

HR89 is stalled in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce following its referral on January 3, 2025. The committee chair controls whether a hearing or markup occurs, and no meetings are currently scheduled.

Health Care Price Certainty for All Americans Act

Jason Smith (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would create a sweeping health care price transparency regime, requiring hospitals, clinical diagnostic labs, imaging providers, ambulatory surgical centers, health insurers, and group health plans to publicly disclose their prices, negotiated rates, and cost-sharing details in standard formats, with daily fines and large penalties for those that do not comply. It would also stop health plans, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers from punishing pharmacies that tell patients when the insured price is higher than the cash price, require large Medicare Advantage and drug plan sponsors to report their ownership of providers, pharmacies, and benefit managers, and provide funding to carry the rules out. This bill protects community and chain pharmacies by barring health plans, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers from restricting or penalizing them for telling patients when their plan's price exceeds the cash price, while requiring plans to disclose pharmacy reimbursement details and sponsors to report pharmacy ownership.

Where it stands

Referred on July 13, 2026 to Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, the bill was taken up at a Ways and Means markup on July 15, 2026, where the committee voted 25 to 15 to order it reported in the nature of a substitute. Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce have not yet acted on their referrals.

INSULIN Act of 2026

Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill caps out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per 30-day supply in group and individual health plans starting in 2027 and requires pharmacy benefit managers to pass through 100 percent of insulin rebates to plans. It authorizes $100 million for a five-year pilot program in ten states to provide affordable insulin to uninsured individuals and establishes an expedited FDA review process for biosimilars facing inadequate competition. This bill funds retail community pharmacies to purchase and dispense low-cost insulin to uninsured individuals, while the $35 out-of-pocket cap and rebate pass-through requirements affect pharmacies' insulin reimbursement and dispensing.

Where it stands

The INSULIN Act of 2026 was reported by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions following a markup on July 22, 2026, and is placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders as Calendar No. 552. The committee reported the measure without a written report on August 8, 2026, meaning the bill is currently awaiting floor action.

Safe Disposal of Opioids Act of 2026

Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a new grant program, run by the Attorney General with other drug and health agencies, paying covered entities to set up or keep disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications, with no more than 10 percent of a year's grants going to law enforcement agencies or to drug manufacturers, distributors, or reverse distributors. To pay for it, the bill would impose a fee of 1 cent per 100 milligrams on the sale of active opioids by their manufacturers, producers, or importers, while requiring the Health and Human Services Secretary to discount purchases for cancer-pain and hospice patients so they do not bear the fee, and it would authorize annual appropriations up to the amount of fees collected. This bill lets pharmacies and other medication dispensers apply for federal grants to run disposal sites for unwanted prescription drugs, while requiring pharmacies to apply point-of-sale discounts so cancer and hospice patients never pay the new opioid fee.

Where it stands

HR10649 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on October 1, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no hearing or markup on the committee's calendar in our data. The Energy and Commerce chair decides whether a hearing or a noticed markup is ever scheduled, though committee action is the ordinary route rather than an absolute prerequisite.

Affordability is Access Act of 2026

Ayanna Pressley (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would direct the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury to clarify that group health plans and group or individual insurance must cover all Food and Drug Administration-approved over-the-counter contraceptives with no cost-sharing and without requiring a prescription, while covering only one contraceptive among therapeutically equivalent prescription drug versions. It would also bar retailers that stock over-the-counter contraception from interfering with a customer's access to the product or to medically accurate information about it, while letting those retailers refuse to provide the product to someone who cannot pay for it directly, through insurance, or through another payment mechanism. This bill restricts pharmacies and other retailers that stock over-the-counter contraceptives by barring them from interfering with a customer's access, purchase, or receipt of information about those products, though they may still refuse sale if the customer cannot pay.

Where it stands

HR10597 was referred on September 24, 2026 to three House committees, Energy and Commerce and, in addition, Education and Workforce and Ways and Means, for consideration of provisions within each panel's jurisdiction, with the period of referral to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. No hearing, markup, or further action appears in the record, so the bill sits at the earliest committee stage.

Health CARE Act of 2026

Mark R. Warner (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would repeal most health provisions of the 2025 reconciliation law and then make sweeping changes to the health system, including permanently expanding Affordable Care Act premium tax credits beyond the current income cap, creating a low-cost public health plan option through the Exchanges, and boosting federal Medicaid matching funds. It would also cap yearly out-of-pocket and insulin costs for people with health plans, add Medicare coverage for hearing aids and audiology services, extend Medicare drug price negotiation and inflation rebates into the commercial insurance market, ban abusive spread pricing by pharmacy benefit managers in Medicaid, and impose new price and billing transparency requirements on hospitals, labs, imaging centers, health plans, and providers, backed by daily penalties for noncompliance. This bill bans PBM spread pricing so pharmacies keep full Medicaid drug payments, requires retail and mail-order pharmacies to answer cost surveys with penalties for noncompliance, and gives hearing aid retailers new Medicare-covered customers starting in 2028.

Where it stands

The Health CARE Act of 2026 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance on September 24, 2026. It is now at the committee stage, the first and most common choke point in the Senate, where most bills never advance to a markup.

Affordability is Access Act of 2026

Patty Murray (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require group health plans and health insurers, both group and individual, to cover all FDA-approved over-the-counter contraceptives without cost-sharing and without requiring a prescription, and to cover prescription contraceptives with the limit that only one therapeutically equivalent version of any given drug needs to be covered. It would also bar retailers that stock over-the-counter contraception from interfering with a customer's access to it or to medically accurate information about it, while allowing a retailer to refuse a sale to someone who cannot pay. This bill requires any pharmacy or health retailer that stocks over-the-counter contraception not to interfere with customers' access to those products or to accurate information about them, while still allowing refusal to unpaid customers.

Where it stands

S5539 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on September 24, 2026, and no further action is on record. It is at the committee stage, the most common choke point in the Senate, where most bills never reach a markup.

Fair Prescription Pricing Act of 2026

Hillary J. Scholten (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill limits cost sharing for covered outpatient drugs dispensed by in-network pharmacies to the nationwide average consumer purchase price for the preceding year. It requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to ensure that pharmacy benefit managers also comply with this cost-sharing limit. This bill caps what insured patients can be charged out of pocket for prescriptions at in-network pharmacies, limiting copays to the nationwide average retail price, which helps community and chain pharmacies keep patients buying drugs at their counters.

Where it stands

HR10133 was referred on August 20, 2026, to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means and Education and Workforce, with no primary committee designated. The chairs of all three panels currently control whether hearings or markups occur, and no meetings are scheduled.

340B PATIENTS Act of 2025

Doris O. Matsui (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill clarifies that drug manufacturers must offer discounted prices to covered entities regardless of where or how drugs are dispensed, specifically prohibiting restrictions on the use of contract pharmacies. It establishes civil monetary penalties of up to $2,000,000 per day for manufacturers who intentionally violate these prohibitions and requires the creation of a process for covered entities to file claims of such violations. This bill prohibits drug manufacturers from restricting covered entities from dispensing discounted 340B drugs through contract pharmacies, allowing community and chain pharmacies serving as contract pharmacies to continue filling and being reimbursed for these discounted prescriptions.

Where it stands

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 22, 2025, and no hearings or markups are currently scheduled. The companion Senate measure S2372 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on the same date.

Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2025

Diana Harshbarger (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a temporary exception, running from 2026 through 2030, to the Medicare rule that bars doctors from referring patients to businesses in which they have a financial interest, letting physician group practices prescribe and dispense certain outpatient prescription drugs to their own patients from their offices, including by mail or courier, when the patient has an ongoing relationship and a recent in-person visit with the practice. It would also order a congressional study of pharmacies and physician dispensing arrangements under the drug benefit, due within three years, and would cut annual funding for the Medicare Improvement Fund by $18 million, from $1,804,000,000 to $1,786,000,000. This bill lets physician practices dispense certain Medicare Part D drugs in their own offices from 2026 through 2030, taking fill volume from community and retail pharmacies, and requires a GAO study examining pharmacies dispensing significantly more covered Part D drugs.

Where it stands

H.R. 2484 was referred on March 31, 2025 to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means, and the Energy and Commerce Committee ordered it reported by a recorded vote of 38 to 7 at its markup on April 29, 2025, which is the report-out event. No written report or calendar placement appears in the record, and calendar placement would convey eligibility only; majority leadership decides whether and when floor time is given.

Lower Costs, More Transparency Act of 2026

Brett Guthrie (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would impose sweeping price transparency rules across the health care system starting in 2028, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to publish standard charges and negotiated prices, requiring laboratories and imaging providers to disclose discounted cash prices or gross charges, and requiring health plans, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers to disclose rates, cost-sharing, spread pricing, rebates, and prior authorization data, all backed by escalating daily fines and public enforcement reporting. It would also lower drug prices by deeming approved biosimilars interchangeable and curbing delay-tactic citizen petitions, speed review of certain over-the-counter drugs, and send new federal funding to community health centers for behavioral health and nutrition services. This bill requires health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to publicly disclose, for each pharmacy with a dispensing contract, the difference between what the plan pays and what the pharmacy is reimbursed, exposing spread pricing and pushing greater reimbursement transparency onto pharmacies.

Where it stands

On July 21, 2026, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, in a markup following earlier markups on June 25 and July 20, voted by a tally of 45 to 0 to order the bill reported in the nature of a substitute. The record shows no written report filed and no House calendar placement, and the Committees on Ways and Means and Education and Workforce, which also received the bill on referral on June 23, 2026, show no action in the record.

Dietary Supplement Innovation Act

Diana Harshbarger (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would rewrite the rule barring approved drugs and investigational drug ingredients from foods and dietary supplements, adding exceptions such as for ingredients marketed as food before October 15, 1994 and for drugs whose Phase 2 or Phase 3 trials have been inactive or withdrawn for at least seven years or whose sponsor has publicly announced stopping development. It would also let food and supplement makers immediately challenge FDA warning letters or statements alleging a product illegally contains a drug ingredient, with the government bearing the burden of proving a violation. This bill lets pharmacies and health retailers sell a wider range of dietary supplements by clearing more drug ingredients for supplement use and giving makers an easier way to challenge FDA actions against products on their shelves.

Where it stands

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 10, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no hearing or markup appearing in our calendar data.

MediKids Act

Andy Kim (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill expands Medicaid eligibility to all individuals under age 26 regardless of income or immigration status and mandates automatic enrollment for newborns. It also provides 100 percent federal matching for costs associated with this newly eligible population beginning two years after enactment. This bill expands Medicaid to cover everyone under 26 regardless of income or status, giving pharmacies a larger pool of insured customers whose prescriptions are reimbursed by the publicly funded program.

Where it stands

S5037 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on July 21, 2026, placing it in committee consideration with no scheduled markup or calendar placement.

Prior Authorization Reform for Autoimmune and Blood Disorders Act

Julie Johnson (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require group health plans and health insurers to cover any drug prescribed for an autoimmune disease, hemophilia, or Von Willebrand disease, whether dispensed by a pharmacy or furnished as part of a medical service. It would also bar these plans from requiring prior authorization for such drugs more than once every 12 months, with exceptions for short-term drugs, opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, carisoprodol, and drugs under an FDA risk management program, starting with plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. This bill requires health plans to cover autoimmune and blood disorder drugs regardless of which pharmacy dispenses them, and limits prior authorization to once a year, so pharmacies and health retailers dispensing these medications should see steadier coverage and higher prescription volume.

Where it stands

HR9192 was referred on June 8, 2026 to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and, in addition, to the Committees on Education and Workforce and Ways and Means, for consideration of the provisions within each panel's jurisdiction; the source does not establish a primary committee, so each of the three chairs is a gatekeeper.

Drug Deal Disclosure Act

Ron Wyden (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly release all documents and communications related to specific drug pricing and investment agreements made with manufacturers since January 2025. It also mandates that the Congressional Budget Office and Government Accountability Office publish a joint report analyzing the economic and budgetary impacts of these disclosed deals. This bill requires HHS to disclose drug pricing deal documents and a report on how those deals affect drug price competition and shifts between generic and brand name drugs, giving pharmacies and health retailers visibility into pricing and mix changes that shape their margins.

Where it stands

S4355 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on April 21, 2026. The companion measure HR9699 remains in committee without passage in its chamber.

Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act

August Pfluger (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill automatically grants interchangeable status to biosimilar biological products upon FDA licensure, eliminating the separate regulatory determination previously required. Existing exclusivity periods for previously approved interchangeable products remain in effect, and the FDA must update guidance documents within eighteen months. This bill lets community and chain pharmacies dispense newly licensed biosimilars as interchangeable with brand biologics without a separate FDA step, expanding substitution at the counter and pressuring originator drug margins.

Where it stands

The bill was marked up by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 20, 2026, though the record does not state the vote outcome or whether a report has been filed.

Dietary Supplement Regulatory Uniformity Act

Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would prohibit states and local governments from enforcing dietary supplement rules that differ from or exceed federal standards. It would allow the federal government to grant exemptions to state laws only if they are stricter than federal rules or address specific local conditions. This bill lets pharmacies and health and personal care retailers sell dietary supplements nationwide under one federal standard, freeing them from tracking and stocking to differing state safety and labeling rules.

Where it stands

HR7366 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on February 4, 2026, and the committee held a hearing on the measure on April 29, 2026. The bill currently sits in the committee stage with no markup scheduled, placing the procedural initiative with the committee chair.

Prescription Drug Supply Chain Pricing Transparency Act

Michael F. Bennet (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill requires the Comptroller General to study how prescription drug intermediaries use price-related compensation structures and submit a report with recommendations to Congress within two years of enactment. This study would examine fees based on drug prices among entities such as pharmacy benefit managers, insurers, wholesalers, and pharmacies to identify conflicts of interest and market trends. This bill requires the Comptroller General to study how pharmacies and other intermediaries use price-based fees and compensation for prescription drugs, with recommendations to Congress that could later reshape pharmacy payment rules.

Where it stands

S3751 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on January 29, 2026, where it remains in committee without any scheduled meetings or markup notices. The bill is currently blocked at the committee stage, as no action has been taken to advance it to the floor.

Medical Foods and Formulas Access Act of 2025

Roger F. Wicker (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill requires Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to cover medically necessary foods, vitamins, and amino acids prescribed for specific digestive and metabolic disorders. It defines eligible products as specially formulated items for dietary management of listed conditions and phases in coverage with a three-year delay for Medicare, a two-year delay for Medicaid, and a one-year delay for CHIP and FEHB. This bill requires Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and FEHB to cover prescribed medical foods and formulas, giving pharmacies and health retailers that stock these specialty products a federal payer base covering 80 percent of charges.

Where it stands

S3304 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance on December 2, 2025, where it remains with no scheduled meetings or markup notices.