Bill · S. 4106· Senate(119-S-4106)
Rx ACCESS Act
- Introduced
- 3/17/2026
- Last activity
- 4/13/2026 — Star Print ordered on the bill.
- Sponsored by
- Tom Cotton
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Rx ACCESS Act," aims to amend title 10 of the United States Code to improve medication access under the TRICARE program. It allows eligible beneficiaries to elect how they receive non-generic prescription maintenance medications starting October 1, 2026. The legislation establishes reimbursement standards for retail pharmacies to ensure they receive the actual cost of a pharmaceutical agent plus a professional dispensing fee. It also prohibits pharmacy benefit program contractors from imposing fees on retail pharmacies. Finally, it mandates annual audits by the Comptroller General to monitor reimbursement rates and the adequacy of the pharmacy network.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+6
The bill enhances the TRICARE pharmacy benefit by increasing beneficiary choice and ensuring pharmacy network adequacy.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+6
The bill improves medication access by allowing beneficiaries more choice in how they receive maintenance medications and mandates audits of pharmacy network accessibility.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill requires retail pharmacies to be reimbursed at the actual cost of the drug plus a professional dispensing fee.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Choice for Beneficiaries: Under Section 2(a), starting October 1, 2026, eligible covered beneficiaries may elect to receive non-generic prescription maintenance medications through various means, which provides more personal preference in how they receive medication.
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Fairer Reimbursement for Retail Pharmacies: Section 2(b)(1) requires the Secretary of Defense to ensure retail pharmacies are reimbursed at an amount not less than the actual cost of the drug (or a proxy amount based on the national average drug acquisition cost index) plus a professional dispensing fee.
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Protection Against Hidden Costs for Pharmacies: Section 2(b)(2) prevents contractors from imposing point-of-sale fees, retroactive fees, or other indirect or hidden fees on retail pharmacies.
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Improved Oversight and Access Monitoring: Section 2(b)(3)(A)(i) mandates annual audits by the Comptroller General to review the adequacy of the retail pharmacy network. This includes checking for geographic accessibility, with special consideration for rural and underserved areas, and ensuring continuity of care.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated 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 Veterans+6Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Low Income Households+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+5
- 7/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/13/2026
- Star Print ordered on the bill.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 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.
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota