A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · 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, known as the "PLASMA Act," seeks to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act. It aims to provide a phase-in period for plasma-derived products under the manufacturer discount program. The legislation focuses on drugs that are biological products derived from human whole blood or plasma and were marketed as of August 16, 2022. It establishes a specific percentage for the "discounted price" of these products that changes over several years. The plan includes different percentage schedules depending on whether a beneficiary has reached certain out-of-pocket cost thresholds.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +6
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?
The bill implements a multi-year phase-in of discounted prices for plasma-derived biological products.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill reduces the relative cost of plasma-derived drugs for Medicare beneficiaries through a scheduled phase-in.
- Scored +5
Would retired people be better off under this?
The legislation lowers the cost burden of essential plasma-derived medications for retirees on Medicare.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Phase-in of Discounted Prices: The bill establishes a system where plasma-derived products are subject to a "discounted price" based on a specific percentage of the negotiated price (Section 2, subparagraph (D)(i)).
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Gradual Price Adjustments for Beneficiaries: For those who have not reached the annual out-of-pocket threshold, the bill provides a scheduled reduction in the discounted price percentage from 99 percent in 2026 down to 90 percent by 2030 (Section 2, subparagraph (D)(iii)(I)).
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Extended Benefits for High-Cost Beneficiaries: For beneficiaries who have already incurred costs reaching the annual out-of-pocket threshold, the bill provides a more extended phase-in schedule that goes as low as 80 percent by 2032 (Section 2, subparagraph (D)(iii)(II)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusions from the Program: Certain drugs dispensed to LIS beneficiaries and drugs from specified small manufacturers are excluded from these phase-in provisions (Section 2, subparagraph (D)(iv)).
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? — The legislation lowers the cost burden of essential plasma-derived medications for retirees on Medicare. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill reduces the relative cost of plasma-derived drugs for Medicare beneficiaries through a scheduled phase-in. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides cost-reduction mechanisms for beneficiaries, including a more extended phase-in for those facing high out-of-pocket costs.
- Healthcare
- Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — The bill implements a multi-year phase-in of discounted prices for plasma-derived biological products. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By lowering the cost of plasma-derived medicines, it helps ensure continued access for beneficiaries. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill establishes a discount mechanism for plasma-derived products within the Medicare Part D framework.
- 4/8/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/24/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 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.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California