H.R. 1922 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent 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, Mar 6, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExempts certain brand drugs from Medicare discounts
The Medicare Part D program requires drug makers to give discounts to people who've spent a lot on prescription drugs in a year. This bill would carve out an exception for certain brand-name drugs that are treated like generic drugs under Medicaid rules. These specific drugs would no longer have to participate in the discount program.
How it affects you
If you're on Medicare and take one of these brand-name drugs that qualify for the exemption, you might pay more out of pocket since you wouldn't get the manufacturer discount that other Medicare users receive. The official summary doesn't explain which drugs would be affected or how many people this would impact.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 6, 2025)
Ensuring Access to Essential Drugs Act
This bill exempts certain brand-name drugs from the Medicare Part D Manufacturer Discount Program. Under the program, drug manufacturers provide discounts to beneficiaries who have incurred costs above the annual deductible under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Specifically, the bill exempts from the program orally administered, brand-name drugs that are considered generics for purposes of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (per an exception granted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1922
A BILL
Ensuring Access to Essential Drugs Act
Sponsor: Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-2) · Introduced Mar 6, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 6, 2025: “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.”