Better Deals and Lower Prices Act

12/20/2024, 9:06 AM

Better Deals and Lower Prices Act

This bill establishes reporting requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with respect to services provided to health insurance plans.

First, PBMs must report annually to the plan sponsor certain information about the PBM's services, including the amount of prescription drug copayment assistance funded by drug manufacturers, a list of covered drugs billed under the plan during the reporting period, and the total gross and net spending by the health plan on prescription drugs during the reporting period. PBMs also must submit specified elements of the report (e.g., the total gross spending on prescription drugs) to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The report must comply with the privacy requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

The bill establishes civil penalties for violations of these requirements and provides for enforcement by the appropriate agencies.

GAO must report on the pharmacy networks of plans or PBMs, including whether such networks under common ownership with the plans or PBMs are designed to encourage plan enrollees to use network pharmacies over other pharmacies.

Bill 118 hr 4846, also known as the Better Deals and Lower Prices Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to increase competition in the marketplace in order to lower prices for consumers.

One key provision of the Better Deals and Lower Prices Act is the establishment of a task force that will investigate and address anti-competitive practices in various industries. This task force will have the authority to enforce existing antitrust laws and regulations, as well as recommend new policies to promote fair competition.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to increase transparency in pricing and reduce barriers to entry for new businesses. This includes requiring companies to disclose more information about their pricing practices and making it easier for new competitors to enter the market. Overall, the Better Deals and Lower Prices Act aims to promote a more competitive marketplace that benefits consumers by lowering prices and increasing choices. It is currently being debated in Congress and may undergo changes before being voted on.
Congress
118

Number
HR - 4846

Introduced on
2023-07-25

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

7/25/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Better Deals and Lower Prices Act

This bill establishes reporting requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with respect to services provided to health insurance plans.

First, PBMs must report annually to the plan sponsor certain information about the PBM's services, including the amount of prescription drug copayment assistance funded by drug manufacturers, a list of covered drugs billed under the plan during the reporting period, and the total gross and net spending by the health plan on prescription drugs during the reporting period. PBMs also must submit specified elements of the report (e.g., the total gross spending on prescription drugs) to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The report must comply with the privacy requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

The bill establishes civil penalties for violations of these requirements and provides for enforcement by the appropriate agencies.

GAO must report on the pharmacy networks of plans or PBMs, including whether such networks under common ownership with the plans or PBMs are designed to encourage plan enrollees to use network pharmacies over other pharmacies.

Bill 118 hr 4846, also known as the Better Deals and Lower Prices Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to increase competition in the marketplace in order to lower prices for consumers.

One key provision of the Better Deals and Lower Prices Act is the establishment of a task force that will investigate and address anti-competitive practices in various industries. This task force will have the authority to enforce existing antitrust laws and regulations, as well as recommend new policies to promote fair competition.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to increase transparency in pricing and reduce barriers to entry for new businesses. This includes requiring companies to disclose more information about their pricing practices and making it easier for new competitors to enter the market. Overall, the Better Deals and Lower Prices Act aims to promote a more competitive marketplace that benefits consumers by lowering prices and increasing choices. It is currently being debated in Congress and may undergo changes before being voted on.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for oversight of pharmacy benefit manager services.

Policy Areas
Taxation

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary12/5/2024

Better Deals and Lower Prices Act

This bill establishes reporting requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with respect to services provided to health insurance plans.

First, PBMs must report annually to the p...


Latest Action12/17/2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.