S. 2426 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jul 24, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryMakes pharmacist services permanently covered by Medicare
Right now, Medicare has temporary coverage for pharmacists to test and treat certain illnesses like COVID-19, flu, RSV, and strep throat. This bill would make that coverage permanent. It also allows pharmacists to provide testing and treatment services for other public health emergencies declared by the government, as long as state laws allow pharmacists to do this work.
How it affects you
If you're on Medicare and need testing or treatment for COVID-19, flu, RSV, or strep throat from a pharmacist, you won't have to worry about that coverage disappearing. This means pharmacists can continue offering these services as a permanent part of your Medicare benefits, and you may have easier access to these treatments at your local pharmacy.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jul 24, 2025)
Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act
This bill provides for permanent coverage under Medicare of certain pharmacist services.
Specifically, the bill provides for permanent coverage of testing and treatment services provided by pharmacists relating to (1) COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat); and (2) other public health needs in relation to a declared public health emergency. (Similar authorities were temporarily granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency.) Such services must be provided in accordance with the applicable state laws governing pharmacists' scope of practice.
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 SessionS. 2426
A BILL
Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act
Sponsor: Sen. John Thune (R-SD) · Introduced Jul 24, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 24, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4701)”