A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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 is called the "Biosimilars Access and Affordability Act" and it changes when biosimilar biological products are eligible for price negotiations under the Medicare program. It amends title XI of the Social Security Act to alter these rules. Specifically, it adjusts the timing of when biological products are eligible for price negotiations. The bill also establishes rules for automatic delays and sets requirements for manufacturers. Finally, it outlines the payment of rebates if certain conditions are not met.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +3
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Seniors relying on Medicare will benefit from enhanced access and affordability regarding biological products and biosimilars.
- Scored +3
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees on Medicare benefit from provisions aimed at improving the availability and affordability of biological products.
- Scored +3
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?
By facilitating the entry of biosimilars and adjusting negotiation timelines, the bill aims to improve prescription drug availability and affordability.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Automatic delay for biosimilars: Under section 2(a)(2)(A), the Secretary shall apply an automatic delay for a biological product if the manufacturer of a biosimilar biological product has publicly disclosed that their application was accepted for review or approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or that clinical studies were initiated and remain ongoing, are complete, or that no studies are necessary, and expects the product to be marketed before the date that is 2 years after the selected drug publication date. This helps encourage the entry of biosimilars into the market.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Rebate requirements for manufacturers: Under section 2(a)(2)(B)(ii), if a biosimilar biological product has not been licensed and marketed on or before the date that is 2 years after the selected drug publication date, the manufacturer of the reference biological product shall pay a rebate. This could potentially create financial burdens or disputes for manufacturers involved in the process.
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 retired people be better off under this? — Retirees on Medicare benefit from provisions aimed at improving the availability and affordability of biological products. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors relying on Medicare will benefit from enhanced access and affordability regarding biological products and biosimilars. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Lower-income households benefit from reduced prescription drug costs and improved access to biosimilars under Medicare. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class households with Medicare beneficiaries see potential savings through increased biosimilar availability.
- Healthcare
- Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — By facilitating the entry of biosimilars and adjusting negotiation timelines, the bill aims to improve prescription drug availability and affordability. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Promoting biosimilar access helps patients obtain necessary biological products more readily. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill alters Medicare price negotiation rules and introduces manufacturer rebates, which could positively impact Medicare program finances.
- 9/28/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California