Rep. Harshbarger Introduces the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act to Let Doctors Mail Drugs to Patients
This bill is currently moving through the House committee process. It recently passed a committee vote and is now waiting to be reported to the full House for further action. It remains an active piece of legislation.
This bill has support from both Republicans and Democrats, which is a good sign. However, it still has to go through several committees and be approved by the Senate before it can become law.
Physician practices, including small and independent medical groups, could add drug dispensing as a new service line, potentially generating additional revenue. The bill allows group practices to bill for dispensed medications and offer delivery services. However, this also means taking on the operational burden of stocking, dispensing, and delivering medications, which requires new infrastructure and compliance systems.
“such drugs are billed for by the physician dispensing or supervising the dispensing of such drugs, by a group practice of which such physician is a member under a billing number assigned to such group practice, or by an entity that is wholly owned by such physician or such group practice”
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 7.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) is reintroducing the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act to restore a COVID-19 era waiver allowing Medicare patients to receive oral cancer medications through the mail or via courier, bypassing Stark Law restrictions on physician self-referral.
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 5526, which would reverse CMS restrictions on mail delivery of cancer medications to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill clarifies that delivering medicines by mail or courier does not violate the Stark Law's prohibition on physician self-referral.
A new interpretation of the Stark Law prevents community oncology practices from mailing oral cancer drugs to Medicare patients. Bipartisan legislation, the Seniors' Access to Critical Medications Act, has been introduced to restore mail-order access and protect practices from violations.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2025
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