Summary
Makes sure veterans and military families pay no more for certain drugs than the low price set for Medicare.
What problem does this solve?
Veterans and military families could pay high prices for medicine, even when the government negotiates lower prices for others. This bill makes sure they get the same low, negotiated price for certain drugs that Medicare patients get.
What does this bill do?
Caps drug costs for military families
Limits the amount TRICARE users have to pay for certain drugs. Their cost will not be more than what a Medicare user pays for the same drug.
Lowers drug copayments for veterans
Sets a maximum copayment for veterans on certain drugs. The amount cannot be higher than the copayment for a Medicare user.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 2(c)
Header:
Limitation on prices of drugs procured by Department and certain other Federal agencies
Limits drug prices for government agencies
Stops federal agencies, like the VA and DoD, from paying more than the 'maximum fair price' set by Medicare when they buy certain drugs.
Applies to current and future drug contracts
Makes the new price limits apply to drug-buying agreements that are already in place and any new ones made after the law passes.
Who does this affect?
- Veterans
- Military servicemembers and their families
- Federal government agencies
What is the real world impact?
•
Ensures fair drug pricing for veterans and military
Provides veterans and military families with the same benefits of negotiated drug prices that Medicare recipients have, lowering their out-of-pocket costs for medicine.
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Reduces federal spending on drugs
Lowers the cost of prescription drugs for the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Defense by capping the price they can pay, which could save taxpayer money.
When does this start?
The new drug price limits will apply to government contracts as soon as the bill becomes law.