CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanBill · H.R. 946· House(119-HR-946)

ORPHAN Cures Act

Rep. Joyce
Age: 69 years
Pennsylvania
Introduced
2/4/2025
Last activity
2/6/2025 — Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H535-536)
Sponsored by
John Joyce
Cosponsors
Republican - 9Democrat - 9
Health
  1. Introduced

What this bill would do

This bill, known as the "ORPHAN Cures Act," seeks to amend title XI of the Social Security Act. The primary goal is to expand and clarify how orphan drugs are excluded from the Drug Price Negotiation Program. It changes the definition of an orphan drug to include those used for one or more rare diseases or conditions. Additionally, it instructs the Secretary to exclude time from certain calculations if a drug was previously considered an orphan drug.

Yes· 3 of 4

  • Would business owners be better off under this?+3

    The bill benefits pharmaceutical companies by providing broader exclusions from price negotiations.

  • Does this put more money into scientific research?+2

    The bill's adjustments to the orphan drug status may encourage increased scientific focus on rare diseases.

  • Does this make health care easier to get in general?+2

    Expanding the definition of orphan drugs may incentivize more research and availability for drugs treating multiple rare conditions.

The opposite· 3 of 5

  • Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?-3

    The bill makes it harder to negotiate prices for drugs used for multiple rare diseases, which could keep costs higher.

  • Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2

    By expanding the exclusion for orphan drugs from price negotiations, the bill limits the government's ability to negotiate lower prices for those drugs.

  • Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?-2

    The expansion of orphan drug exclusions from the negotiation program reduces the leverage used to lower drug prices for consumers.