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H.R. 5281 116th Congress House

Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2019

Official title: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve transparency and prevent the use of abusive spread pricing and related practices in the Medicaid program.

Introduced: December 3, 2019 Introduced by: Earl L. "Buddy" Carter Republican · Georgia See on congress.gov
Health Business recordsCongressional oversightGovernment information and archivesHealth care costs and insurance
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Home and outpatient careInflation and pricesMedicaidPrescription drugsPublic contracts and procurementRetail and wholesale tradesState and local government operationsUser charges and fees
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 4, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Dec 3, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Dec 3, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Latest action December 4, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2019

This bill requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with pharmacy benefit managers under Medicaid. The bill also extends funding for retail pharmacy surveys and requires additional information with respect to price concessions, dispensing fees, and survey participation to be made publicly available.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HR 3 Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act
  • HR 19 Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019
  • S 2543 Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019
  • S 4199 Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2020
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5281: Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5281/
MLA
"H.R. 5281: Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5281/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5281, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5281/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5281: Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5281/)
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