A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 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 ``Lower Drug Costs for Families Act'' seeks to amend the Social Security Act regarding prescription drug inflation rebates. This bill expands the application of these rebates to include drugs furnished in the commercial market for both Part B and Part D. It also changes the base year used for calculating these rebates to an earlier date. These amendments regarding Part B drugs are set to take effect for calendar quarters starting on or after January 1, 2026. The changes for Part D drugs apply to periods beginning on or after October 1, 2025.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?
The bill expands inflation rebates to the commercial market and lowers the base year to increase rebate amounts.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill reduces prescription drug costs, which disproportionately benefits seniors relying on Medicare.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Lower drug costs will provide financial relief to low-income households.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers may face lower margins due to expanded inflation rebates.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expansion of Rebates to the Commercial Market: The bill amends the Social Security Act to apply prescription drug inflation rebates to drugs furnished in the commercial market for both Part B drugs (Section 2(a)(1)) and Part D drugs (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Updated Rebate Calculation Base Year: The bill changes the base year for rebate calculations to an earlier date, specifically moving the base year for Part B drugs to 2016 (Section 2(a)(2)) and for Part D drugs to 2016 (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusion of Certain Units for Part D Rebates: For Part D rebatable drugs, the Secretary is required to exclude certain units from the total number, including units for which payment was made under a State plan under title XIX, units for which a rebate is paid under section 1847A(i), and, beginning with plan year 2026, units for which the manufacturer provides a discount under the section 340B program (Section 2(b)(1)(A)(ii)).
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — Lower drug costs will provide financial relief to low-income households. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Lower drug costs will provide financial relief to middle-class households. Would retired people be better off under this? — Lower drug costs directly benefit retirees who rely on Medicare Part B and D. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill reduces prescription drug costs, which disproportionately benefits seniors relying on Medicare. Would business owners be better off under this? — Pharmaceutical manufacturers may face lower margins due to expanded inflation rebates.
- Healthcare
- Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — The bill expands inflation rebates to the commercial market and lowers the base year to increase rebate amounts.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill expands inflation rebates to the commercial market, providing better price control for consumers.
- 4/1/2025
- 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.
- 2 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.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickDemocrat · Florida
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia