Affordable Medications (E.O. 13937)

Summary

Requires certain health centers to sell life-saving insulin and epinephrine to low-income patients for the same low price the centers paid for them.

What problem does this solve?

The cost of life-saving drugs like insulin and epinephrine has become too high for many people, especially those with low incomes or without good insurance. This order makes sure that certain health centers sell these drugs to low-income patients for the same low price the centers paid for them.

What does this order do?

Makes life-saving drugs affordable for low-income individuals

Requires Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to sell insulin and injectable epinephrine to certain low-income individuals at the same discounted price the center paid.

Defines who qualifies for lower drug prices

Specifies that low-income individuals with high cost-sharing, high deductibles, or no health insurance are eligible for the discounted medications.

Uses federal grants to enforce the policy

Makes future grants for health centers conditional on them following the new rule to pass on drug savings.

Who does this affect?

Low-income individuals
Uninsured or underinsured patients
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

What is the real world impact?

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Increases access to essential medicine

Helps people with low incomes, high deductibles, or no insurance buy life-saving insulin and epinephrine at a much lower price from community health centers.

When does this start?

This policy applies to future grants given to health centers starting from July 24, 2020.