Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024
- Last Action
- 9/24/2024
Actions
- 2024-09-24Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2024-09-23The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- 2024-09-23Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2024-09-23On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5587)
- 2024-09-23Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5587)
- 2024-09-23DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5526.
- 2024-09-23Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5587-5588)
- 2024-09-23Mr. Bucshon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2024-09-19Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 585.
- 2024-09-19Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
- 2024-09-19Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
- 2024-09-19Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-691, Part I.
- 2024-09-19Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-691, Part I.
- 2024-06-12Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
- 2024-06-12Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Showing 15 of 20 actions. Full history on Congress.gov.
CRS Summary
As of 2024-09-23 (53)
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.
Cosponsors (20)
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
- Charles Fleischmann (R-TN)
- Donald Davis (D-NC)
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA)
- Troy Balderson (R-OH)
- Bill Johnson (R-OH)
- Richard Hudson (R-NC)
- Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
- Nick LaLota (R-NY)
- Raul Ruiz (D-CA)
- Earl Carter (R-GA)
- Darren Soto (D-FL)
- Terri Sewell (D-AL)
- Steve Cohen (D-TN)
- Jill Tokuda (D-HI)
- Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)
- Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
- John Joyce (R-PA)
- Chellie Pingree (D-ME)
- Marie Perez (D-WA)
Subjects
- Government information and archives
- Internet, web applications, social media
- Medicare
- Prescription drugs
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.