CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Thomas Kean (R-NJ)

HELP Copays Act

H.R. 6423 · House bill Health

A Republican bill with 55 Democratic cosponsors · See all 68 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

  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

The bill is known as the Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act or the HELP Copays Act. It changes the Public Health Service Act, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The legislation requires health plans to count financial assistance toward a patient's cost-sharing requirements. This includes help from prescription drug manufacturers and non-profit organizations. These changes apply to deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and out-of-pocket limits. The new rules take effect for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026.

Yes· 3 of 26

  • Scored +8

    Would households on low incomes be better off under this?

    Significantly helps low-income individuals reach their out-of-pocket limits faster via external aid.

  • Scored +8

    Would people with disabilities be better off under this?

    High positive impact for individuals with chronic disabilities requiring expensive specialty medications.

  • Scored +7

    Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?

    Reduces out-of-pocket burdens for patients by allowing manufacturer and non-profit assistance to satisfy deductibles and copays.

The opposite

No question was scored the opposite.