Bill · H.R. 9682· House(119-HR-9682)
Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/14/2026
- Last activity
- 7/14/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Natural Resources, and 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
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 5
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to set up a program to wipe out hepatitis C in the United States. It creates a national strategy, advisory committees, and a public dashboard to track progress. The legislation sets up a subscription program to purchase hepatitis C treatments in bulk and distribute them without cost-sharing to specific groups. It also provides grants and funding for public health activities, testing, and treatment access across states, tribal areas, and correctional facilities. Finally, the bill eliminates deductibles and cost-sharing for direct acting antivirals used to treat hepatitis C under Medicare Part D.
Yes· 3 of 24
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?+9
The bill establishes a subscription program providing hepatitis C treatments without cost-sharing and eliminates Medicare Part D deductibles and cost-sharing for direct acting antivirals.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+9
The legislation removes prior authorizations, provides free treatments for covered populations, and funds widespread public health testing and outreach.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+8
Seniors on Medicare Part D benefit directly from the elimination of deductibles and cost-sharing for direct acting antiviral drugs.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill authorizes billions in mandatory spending for the Hepatitis C Elimination Program and associated grants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Free Treatment for Covered Populations: Section 4(b)(1)(A)(ii) ensures that individuals within the covered population can receive hepatitis C treatments without any cost-sharing.
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No Cost-Sharing in Medicare: Section 7 eliminates deductibles and cost-sharing for direct acting antivirals used to treat hepatitis C under Medicare Part D for plan years 2028 through 2032.
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Support for Reentering Prisoners: Section 4(b)(3)(A)(iv) requires participating state and local correctional systems to provide individuals upon release with the remainder of their hepatitis C treatment course and a referral to ongoing care.
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Grants for Local Health Services: Section 5(a)(2)(A) provides grants to states and political subdivisions to facilitate access to hepatitis C screening, diagnosis, treatment, and wraparound services.
-
No Prior Authorization Barriers: Section 4(b)(3)(A)(iii) requires participating state Medicaid or CHIP agencies and correctional systems to agree not to impose prior authorization requirements for screening and treatment.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusion from Other Discount Programs: Section 4(b)(1)(B)(i) prohibits health care providers, pharmacies, and sites of dispensing from using any other Federal drug discount program, including the section 340B drug discount program, for hepatitis C treatments obtained through the program.
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 Seniors+8Good For Retirees+7Good For Middle Aged+6Good For Native Americans+6Good For Young Adults+6Good For Children+5Good For Men+5Good For Women+5Good For African Americans+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Immigrants+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For Veterans+3Good For White Americans+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+9Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+9Increases Medicaid Funding+6Improves Opioid Crisis Response+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Natural Resources, and 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.
- 3 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
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Diana DeGetteDemocrat · Colorado
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia