A Republican bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill, known as the Biosimilars Access and Affordability Act, changes when certain biological products are eligible for price negotiations under Medicare. It amends title XI of the Social Security Act to alter the timeline for these negotiations. Specifically, the bill adjusts the rules regarding when biosimilar biological products can delay reference product price negotiations. It also establishes requirements for automatic delays and outlines penalties or rebates if a biosimilar is not successfully marketed during the delay period. These changes apply to initial price applicability years beginning with the year 2027.
Yes
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Biological product manufacturers and brand-name drug companies may benefit from extended delay periods before price negotiations take effect.
- Scored +2
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?
The bill amends Medicare price negotiation timelines for biological products, creating financial mechanisms that impact program expenditures.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -4
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?
Extending the delay period for Medicare price negotiations on certain biological products could keep prescription drug costs higher for a longer period.
- Scored -3
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Delaying Medicare price negotiations for certain biological products may keep drug prices higher for seniors who rely on Medicare.
- Scored -3
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees depending on Medicare may face higher out-of-pocket costs due to delayed price negotiations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Encouraging Competition: Under Section 2, the bill provides an automatic delay for price negotiations if a manufacturer expects to market a biosimilar biological product within two years. This provision encourages the development and introduction of lower-cost biosimilar options for patients.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Delayed Price Reductions: Section 2 extends certain delay periods from one year to two years. This means Medicare price negotiations and subsequent maximum fair prices for certain reference biological products could be delayed, potentially keeping drug costs higher for a longer period.
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Financial Penalties and Rebates: Section 2 establishes that if a delayed biological product is not actually licensed and marketed within the two-year period, the manufacturer must pay a specific rebate. This adds complex financial accountability measures that could impact the healthcare market.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Biological product manufacturers and brand-name drug companies may benefit from extended delay periods before price negotiations take effect. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees depending on Medicare may face higher out-of-pocket costs due to delayed price negotiations. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Delaying Medicare price negotiations for certain biological products may keep drug prices higher for seniors who rely on Medicare. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Extended timelines for drug price negotiations could negatively impact low-income households reliant on affordable medications.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill amends Medicare price negotiation timelines for biological products, creating financial mechanisms that impact program expenditures. Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — Extending the delay period for Medicare price negotiations on certain biological products could keep prescription drug costs higher for a longer period.
- 11/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/28/2026
- 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.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jake AuchinclossDemocrat · Massachusetts
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Vicente GonzalezDemocrat · Texas
John JoyceRepublican · Pennsylvania
Robin KellyDemocrat · Illinois
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Scott PetersDemocrat · California
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Linda SánchezDemocrat · California
Rudy YakymRepublican · Indiana