Bill · H.R. 6423· House(119-HR-6423)
HELP Copays Act
- Introduced
- 12/4/2025
- Last activity
- 12/4/2025 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Thomas Kean
- Cosponsors
- - 13 - 54
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is known as the Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act or the HELP Copays Act. It changes the Public Health Service Act, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The legislation requires health plans to count financial assistance toward a patient's cost-sharing requirements. This includes help from prescription drug manufacturers and non-profit organizations. These changes apply to deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and out-of-pocket limits. The new rules take effect for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 26
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+8
Significantly helps low-income individuals reach their out-of-pocket limits faster via external aid.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+8
High positive impact for individuals with chronic disabilities requiring expensive specialty medications.
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?+7
Reduces out-of-pocket burdens for patients by allowing manufacturer and non-profit assistance to satisfy deductibles and copays.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2(a) requires health plans to count amounts paid by or for an individual, including financial assistance from non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers, toward deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and out-of-pocket limits. This is positive because it ensures that financial help given to patients actually lowers what they have to pay out of their own pockets.
-
Section 2(b)(1) updates the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to ensure that financial assistance offered by non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers counts toward deductibles, co-insurance, co-payments, and similar charges. This helps patients by making sure their financial aid is fully applied to their required health care costs.
-
Section 2(b)(3) creates a safe harbor for high deductible health plans starting after December 31, 2025. This provision allows these plans to count financial assistance from non-profit organizations and drug manufacturers for outpatient prescription drugs toward the minimum deductible without losing their plan status, which benefits people relying on high deductible plans.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that cause negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+8Good For People With Disabilities+8Good For Middle Class Households+6Good For African Americans+4Good For Asian Americans+4Good For Children+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For L G B T Q Community+4Good For Men+4Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For Retirees+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Students+4Good For Union Workers+4Good For Veterans+4Good For White Americans+4Good For Women+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For High Income Households+3
- Healthcare
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+7Improves Healthcare Access+6Increases Affordable Care Act Support+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 9/28/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/11/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/6/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 3/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/19/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/30/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- 12/19/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/17/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 12/10/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/9/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/4/2025
- 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.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
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.
Jake AuchinclossDemocrat · Massachusetts
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
Tom BarrettRepublican · Michigan
Janelle BynumDemocrat · Oregon
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Joaquin CastroDemocrat · Texas
Jason CrowDemocrat · Colorado
Juan CiscomaniRepublican · Arizona
Herbert ConawayDemocrat · New Jersey
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Mark DeSaulnierDemocrat · California
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Madeleine DeanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Bill FosterDemocrat · Illinois
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Valerie FousheeDemocrat · North Carolina
Randy FineRepublican · Florida
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Chrissy HoulahanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
William KeatingDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Nick LaLotaRepublican · New York
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Betty McCollumDemocrat · Minnesota
Doris MatsuiDemocrat · California
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Daniel MeuserRepublican · Pennsylvania
Mariannette Miller-MeeksRepublican · Iowa
Cory MillsRepublican · Florida
Kelly MorrisonDemocrat · Minnesota
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
August PflugerRepublican · Texas
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina
John RutherfordRepublican · Florida
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Maria SalazarRepublican · Florida
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York
Haley StevensDemocrat · Michigan
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Ritchie TorresDemocrat · New York
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey