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HR 5526 118th Congress House Health Government information and archives Internet, web applications, social media Medicare Prescription drugs

Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024

Introduced: November 28, 2023 Introduced by: Harshbarger, Diana Republican · Tennessee See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) 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 18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 24, 2024
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sep 23, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 23, 2024
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Sep 23, 2024
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5587)
Sep 23, 2024
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5587)
Sep 23, 2024
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5587-5588)
Sep 23, 2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5526.
Sep 23, 2024
Mr. Bucshon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 19, 2024
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 585.
Sep 19, 2024
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-691, Part I.
Sep 19, 2024
Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
Jun 12, 2024
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 12, 2024
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
Mar 12, 2024
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 12, 2024
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 6.
Sep 22, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Sep 18, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Sep 18, 2023
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024

This bill temporarily allows physicians to dispense outpatient prescription drugs and related supplies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to patients via mail or to their caregivers without violating certain prohibitions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law), if certain conditions are met. It also allows for coverage of certain external infusion pumps and associated home infusion drugs under Medicare.

Current law requires physicians to dispense outpatient prescription drugs and related supplies to patients in their office buildings in order to qualify for an exception (the in-office ancillary services exception) under the Stark law. The bill specifies that, from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029, physicians may dispense outpatient prescription drugs and related supplies to their patients via mail, and individuals or their family members or caregivers may pick up such items at the physician's office building, if the individual (1) had a face-to-face visit with the prescriber in the prior year, not including telehealth visits; (2) the prescriber furnished other items or services to the individual in the prior year; and (3) the prescriber has an ongoing professional relationship with the individual. 

In addition, the bill specifies that external infusion pumps and associated home infusion drugs may be covered under Medicare even if they don't meet certain regulatory requirements, if these items are provided in accordance with the bill's specified criteria, including that the drug is administered under the supervision of a qualified home infusion therapy supplier.

What's happening now September 24, 2024

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 3458 Identical bill Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2023
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Lobbying activity 3

Registered lobbyists who named this bill in their disclosure filings. Source: federal Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.

 Cosponsors 69
All 69 Democratic 22 Republican 33
Phillips, Dean
· Sep 16, 2024
 R
Estes, Ron
Kansas · Sep 6, 2024
 R
Moran, Nathaniel
Texas · Jul 30, 2024
 D
Strickland, Marilyn
Washington · Jul 18, 2024
 R
Carter, John R.
Texas · Jun 11, 2024
Allred, Colin
· May 23, 2024
 D
Ross, Deborah K.
North Carolina · May 22, 2024
 D
Fletcher, Lizzie
Texas · May 15, 2024
 D
Titus, Dina
Nevada · May 14, 2024
 R
Tiffany, Thomas P.
Wisconsin · Apr 26, 2024
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Apr 11, 2024
 R
Malliotakis, Nicole
New York · Mar 21, 2024
 R
Green, Mark E.
Texas · Feb 23, 2024
 R
Rouzer, David
North Carolina · Jan 29, 2024
Williams, Brandon
· Jan 25, 2024
D'Esposito, Anthony
· Jan 22, 2024
Duncan, Jeff
· Jan 18, 2024
 D
Tonko, Paul
New York · Jan 18, 2024
 R
Murphy, Gregory F.
North Carolina · Jan 17, 2024
Cartwright, Matt
· Jan 9, 2024
 R
Langworthy, Nicholas A.
New York · Jan 9, 2024
Jackson, Jeff
· Dec 19, 2023
 D
Schneider, Bradley Scott
Illinois · Dec 19, 2023
 R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · Dec 11, 2023
Caraveo, Yadira
· Dec 4, 2023
 D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Dec 4, 2023
 R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Nov 28, 2023
 D
Budzinski, Nikki
Illinois · Nov 28, 2023
 R
DesJarlais, Scott
Tennessee · Nov 28, 2023
 R
Kustoff, David
Tennessee · Nov 28, 2023
 R
Nehls, Troy E.
Texas · Nov 28, 2023
Spanberger, Abigail
· Nov 28, 2023
 R
Mann, Tracey
Kansas · Nov 15, 2023
 R
Obernolte, Jay
California · Nov 15, 2023
 D
Golden, Jared F.
Maine · Nov 13, 2023
 D
Krishnamoorthi, Raja
Illinois · Nov 13, 2023
 R
Latta, Robert E.
Ohio · Nov 13, 2023
 R
Miller, Carol D.
West Virginia · Nov 13, 2023
 R
Rutherford, John H.
Florida · Nov 13, 2023
Bucshon, Larry
· Nov 8, 2023
Burgess, Michael
· Nov 8, 2023
 D
Crow, Jason
Colorado · Nov 8, 2023
 R
Dunn, Neal P.
Florida · Nov 8, 2023
Kuster, Ann
· Nov 7, 2023
 R
LaHood, Darin
Illinois · Nov 3, 2023
Ferguson, A.
· Oct 30, 2023
 D
Pappas, Chris
New Hampshire · Oct 30, 2023
 R
Pfluger, August
Texas · Oct 30, 2023
 R
Van Drew, Jefferson
New Jersey · Oct 26, 2023
 D
Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp
Washington · Oct 25, 2023
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5526: Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5526/
MLA
"H.R. 5526: Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5526/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5526, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5526/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5526: Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5526/)
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