A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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
This bill, the 340B PATIENTS Act of 2025, aims to ensure that covered entities in the 340B drug discount program can access discounted drugs regardless of where or how the drugs are dispensed. It clarifies that drug manufacturers must offer discounted prices and cannot place conditions on covered entities' ability to purchase drugs at discounted prices, even when using contract pharmacies. The bill also establishes penalties for manufacturers who violate these requirements.
Yes· 3 of 22
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill ensures that covered entities can access discounted drugs, which is crucial for low-income households that rely on these discounts for affordable healthcare.
- Scored +7
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?
The bill aims to ensure access to discounted drugs for covered entities, which could translate to lower prescription costs for patients.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill's focus on ensuring access to discounted drugs is especially beneficial for seniors who often have higher healthcare needs and rely on multiple prescriptions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Ensuring Access to Discounted Drugs (Section 2 and 3): This bill makes sure that hospitals, clinics, and health centers can continue to get discounted drug prices through the 340B program, no matter how they dispense the drugs. This helps them stretch their resources to provide more care to more patients.
- Access to Specialty Drugs (Section 2(a)(9)): The bill recognizes that specialty drugs, which are crucial for treating serious conditions, are often only accessible through contract pharmacies. By protecting the use of contract pharmacy arrangements, the bill helps patients get the drugs they need.
- Preventing Drug Price Increases (Section 2(a)(8)): The bill acknowledges that the 340B program and the use of contract pharmacies have helped reduce drug price increases. This could lead to lower drug costs for patients.
- Holding Drug Companies Accountable (Section 3(b)): The bill introduces monetary penalties for drug manufacturers that do not comply with the 340B program rules, especially regarding contract pharmacies. This could deter them from restricting access to discounted drugs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- I am unable to identify any specific negative impacts for people based on the provided text.
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? — The bill ensures that covered entities can access discounted drugs, which is crucial for low-income households that rely on these discounts for affordable healthcare. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill provides some relief to middle-class households by potentially lowering prescription drug costs. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill's focus on ensuring access to discounted drugs is especially beneficial for people with disabilities, who often have higher healthcare needs and rely on multiple prescriptions. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill's focus on ensuring access to discounted drugs is especially beneficial for retirees who often have higher healthcare needs and rely on multiple prescriptions. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill's focus on ensuring access to discounted drugs through contract pharmacies is especially beneficial for rural residents, who often have limited access to healthcare providers. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill's focus on ensuring access to discounted drugs is especially beneficial for seniors who often have higher healthcare needs and rely on multiple prescriptions. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill could help address existing disparities in healthcare access. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill could help address existing disparities in healthcare access. Would children be better off under this? — By improving access to healthcare and lowering prescription drug costs, the bill could have a positive impact on children. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill could help address existing disparities in healthcare access. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill could help address existing disparities in healthcare access. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — By improving healthcare access and affordability, the bill could positively impact LGBTQ+ health. Would men be better off under this? — By improving healthcare access and affordability, the bill could positively impact men's health. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — By improving access to healthcare and lowering prescription drug costs, the bill could have a positive impact on middle-aged individuals. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill could help address existing disparities in healthcare access. Would students be better off under this? — By improving access to healthcare and lowering prescription drug costs, the bill could have a positive impact on students. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill could help address existing disparities in healthcare access. Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill could help address existing disparities in healthcare access. Would women be better off under this? — By improving healthcare access and affordability, the bill could positively impact women's health. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — By improving access to healthcare and lowering prescription drug costs, the bill could have a positive impact on young adults.
- Healthcare
- Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — The bill aims to ensure access to discounted drugs for covered entities, which could translate to lower prescription costs for patients. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By ensuring that covered entities can access discounted drugs regardless of how they are dispensed, the bill improves healthcare access for patients.
- 7/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon