Bill · H.R. 5120· House(119-HR-5120)
HANDS Act
- Introduced
- 9/3/2025
- Last activity
- 9/3/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Armed Services, 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.
- Sponsored by
- Brittany Pettersen
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The HANDS Act aims to provide no-cost coverage for the preventive distribution of opioid overdose reversal drugs. This legislation amends Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE to ensure these drugs are covered without cost-sharing. The drugs, which can be intranasal or intramuscular, are to be furnished by clinical personnel to individuals determined to be at risk for an opioid overdose. This distribution occurs at the time of discharge from a hospital, emergency department, or ambulatory surgical center. The provisions are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?+8
The bill provides no-cost access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal drugs at the time of hospital discharge.
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?+5
The bill expands Medicare coverage to include no-cost preventive opioid overdose reversal drugs.
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?+5
The bill mandates that Medicaid coverage include no-cost preventive opioid overdose reversal drugs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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No-Cost Access to Life-Saving Medication: The bill prohibits cost-sharing, deductibles, or similar charges for preventive opioid overdose reversal drugs under Medicare, Medicaid, and TRsicare (Section 2(a)(3), 2(b)(4), and 2(c)(1)).
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Targeted Preventive Care: Clinical personnel can determine if an individual is at risk for an opioid overdose and provide the drug at the time of discharge or departure from a hospital or emergency department (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Comprehensive Coverage for Various Settings: Coverage extends to patients of hospitals, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers (Section 2(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Mandatory Requirement for Providers: The bill includes a rule of construction stating that nothing shall be construed to require a provider or supplier to furnish the preventive opioid overdose reversal drug to an individual at risk (Section 2(e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Opioid Crisis Response+8Increases Medicaid Funding+5Increases Medicare Funding+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Veterans+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+5
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/3/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Armed Services, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington