Bill · S. 2372· Senate(119-S-2372)
340B PATIENTS Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 7/22/2025
- Last activity
- 7/22/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Peter Welch
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, the 340B PATIENTS Act of 2025, aims to ensure that covered entities in the 340B drug discount program can access discounted drugs regardless of where or how the drugs are dispensed. It clarifies that drug manufacturers must offer discounted prices and cannot place conditions on covered entities' ability to purchase drugs at discounted prices, even when using contract pharmacies. The bill also establishes penalties for manufacturers who violate these requirements.
Yes· 3 of 22
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
The bill ensures that covered entities can access discounted drugs, which is crucial for low-income households that rely on these discounts for affordable healthcare.
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?+7
The bill aims to ensure access to discounted drugs for covered entities, which could translate to lower prescription costs for patients.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+5
The bill's focus on ensuring access to discounted drugs is especially beneficial for seniors who often have higher healthcare needs and rely on multiple prescriptions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Ensuring Access to Discounted Drugs (Section 2 and 3): This bill makes sure that hospitals, clinics, and health centers can continue to get discounted drug prices through the 340B program, no matter how they dispense the drugs. This helps them stretch their resources to provide more care to more patients.
- Access to Specialty Drugs (Section 2(a)(9)): The bill recognizes that specialty drugs, which are crucial for treating serious conditions, are often only accessible through contract pharmacies. By protecting the use of contract pharmacy arrangements, the bill helps patients get the drugs they need.
- Preventing Drug Price Increases (Section 2(a)(8)): The bill acknowledges that the 340B program and the use of contract pharmacies have helped reduce drug price increases. This could lead to lower drug costs for patients.
- Holding Drug Companies Accountable (Section 3(b)): The bill introduces monetary penalties for drug manufacturers that do not comply with the 340B program rules, especially regarding contract pharmacies. This could deter them from restricting access to discounted drugs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- I am unable to identify any specific negative impacts for people based on 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 Low Income Households+7Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Retirees+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Seniors+5Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Children+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Immigrants+3Good For L G B T Q Community+3Good For Men+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For Students+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Women+3Good For Young Adults+3
- Healthcare
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+7Improves Healthcare Access+5
- 7/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon