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Lower Drug Costs for Families Act

4/22/2025, 4:08 PM

Summary of Bill HR 2554

Bill 119 hr 2554, also known as the Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Act, aims to make changes to the way prescription drug prices are calculated and rebated under Medicare. The bill proposes amending title XVIII of the Social Security Act to apply prescription drug inflation rebates to drugs that are sold in the commercial market, in addition to those sold through Medicare.

One of the key provisions of the bill is changing the base year for rebate calculations. Currently, rebates are calculated based on the average manufacturer price of drugs in 2016. This bill seeks to update the base year to reflect more recent data, which could potentially result in higher rebates for certain drugs.

The goal of this legislation is to address the rising costs of prescription drugs and ensure that Medicare is able to negotiate fair prices for the medications it covers. By expanding the rebate program to include drugs sold in the commercial market and updating the base year for calculations, the bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in the pharmaceutical industry. Overall, the Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Act seeks to make prescription drugs more affordable for both Medicare beneficiaries and consumers in the commercial market. It will be important to monitor the progress of this bill as it moves through Congress to see how it may impact drug pricing and access to medications for Americans.

Congressional Summary of HR 2554

Lower Drug Costs for Families Act

This bill applies certain Medicare prescription drug rebate requirements to prescription drugs that are available under private health insurance.

Current law requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for brand-name drugs without generic equivalents under Medicare that (1) cost $100 or more per year per individual, and (2) for which prices increase faster than inflation. Manufacturers that fail to comply are subject to civil penalties.

The bill applies these requirements to prescription drugs that are available in the commercial market under private health insurance. It also indexes rebate calculations to drug prices in 2016 (as opposed to 2021).

Current Status of Bill HR 2554

Bill HR 2554 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since April 1, 2025. Bill HR 2554 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on April 1, 2025.  Bill HR 2554's most recent activity was 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. as of April 1, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2554

Total Number of Sponsors
6
Democrat Sponsors
6
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
2
Democrat Cosponsors
2
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2554

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2554

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to apply prescription drug inflation rebates to drugs furnished in the commercial market and to change the base year for rebate calculations.
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to apply prescription drug inflation rebates to drugs furnished in the commercial market and to change the base year for rebate calculations.

Comments

Sylas Shannon profile image

Sylas Shannon

423

7 months ago

I think this bill is a good idea. It could really help out a lot of families who struggle with high drug costs. I hope it passes soon!