Bill · S. 1753· Senate(119-S-1753)
End Price Gouging for Medications Act
- Introduced
- 5/14/2025
- Last activity
- 5/14/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "End Price Gouging for Medications Act" directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to set annual reference prices for prescription drugs. These prices serve as a cap on the retail list price for drugs used within various Federal health programs. The Secretary determines these prices by looking at the lowest retail price in specific reference countries or by evaluating various drug-related factors. These price limits apply to programs like Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs hospital care. Additionally, manufacturers must offer drugs at these reference prices to all individuals, including those without insurance. Failure to comply results in civil penalties that are transferred to the National Institutes of Health for research.
Yes· 3 of 16
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?+10
The bill directly mandates the establishment of annual reference prices to cap the retail list price of drugs.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+8
The bill significantly lowers drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+8
The bill mandates lower drug prices for VA hospital care and services.
The opposite
Would billionaires be better off under this?-5
Drug manufacturers, who often represent large-scale wealth, face significant civil penalties.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Lower Costs for Federal Program Beneficiaries: The bill mandates that the retail list price for drugs cannot exceed the established reference price for enrollees in programs like Medicare, Medicaid, TRICable, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (Section 2(a) and 2(c)).
-
Lower Costs for Uninsured and Private Insurance Holders: Drug manufacturers are required to offer drugs at the reference price to all individuals, including those who are uninsured or covered under group or individual health insurance (Section 2(d)).
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Increased Research Funding: Civil penalties collected from non-compliant drug manufacturers are transferred to the Director of the National Institutes of Health to be used for drug research and development (Section 2(e)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the provided text.
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 Retirees+8Good For Seniors+8Good For Veterans+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Native Americans+7Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Billionaires-5
- Healthcare
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+10Improves Veterans Healthcare+7Increases Research Funding+7Improves Healthcare Access+6Reduces Private Insurance Premiums+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+7
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+7
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- 5/14/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont