Bill · H.R. 7854· House(119-HR-7854)
Medicines for the People Act
- Introduced
- 3/5/2026
- Last activity
- 3/5/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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
- Rashida Tlaib
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to create the National Institute for Biomedical Research and Development. The new Institute will manage the full-cycle development of drugs, devices, and biological products with the goal of making them available to the public at equitable and accessible prices. A Director will run the Institute, carrying out research, conducting health technology assessments, and monitoring inventions from the National Institutes of Health. The Federal Government will own the rights to any patents and trade secrets resulting from research conducted or funded by the Institute. Additionally, a 15-member governing board will be established to assist in setting high-level policy and long-term planning for the Institute. Finally, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $90,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to carry out these activities.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this put more money into scientific research?+9
The bill authorizes $90,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to support the new National Institute for Biomedical Research and Development.
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?+8
The bill mandates that the Institute develops medicines to be available at equitable and accessible prices, including public manufacturing sold at cost.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
The Institute is designed to prioritize public health needs and ensure long-term access to medicines and devices.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Equitable and Accessible Prices: Section 464Z-11(a)(2) states that the purpose of the Institute is to make drugs, devices, and biological products available to the public at equitable and accessible prices, which could lower costs for individuals needing medications.
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Public Manufacturing and Cost-Based Sales: Section 464Z-11(g)(1) requires the Director to provide for the public manufacturing of approved products when practicable and to sell them at cost, potentially reducing financial burdens on consumers.
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Open Data and Transparency: Section 464Z-11(e)(1) mandates that the Institute share preclinical and clinical trial data, safety and effectiveness information, and cost data openly and in a timely manner with researchers, manufacturers, and the public, helping people make informed health decisions.
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Free Licensing to Public and Nonprofit Entities: Section 464Z-11(f)(3)(D) requires the Director to license patents to public entities and nonprofit organizations free of cost, which may expand access to treatments through public health channels.
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Representation of Patient Advocates: Section 464Z-12(b)(1)(B) ensures that the governing board includes patient advocates from independent patient organizations that do not take funding from for-profit companies, giving everyday people a direct voice in the Institute's priorities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Massive Government Spending: Section 464Z-14 authorizes the appropriation of $90,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund the Institute, which represents a substantial expenditure of taxpayer funds that could strain the federal budget.
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Restrictions on Private Sector Participation: Section 464Z-12(b)(5) places strict limitations on the governing board by barring individuals who are current or former lobbyists, senior executive officers of certain for-profit entities, or associated with companies under specific federal settlements or enforcement actions, potentially locking out experienced private sector experts from guiding the Institute.
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
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+8Improves Healthcare Access+7
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Middle Class Households+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+9
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+2
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickDemocrat · Florida
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania