Rep. Kiggans Introduces Bipartisan Rx ACCESS Act to Expand Pharmacy Choice for Military Families
The Rx Access Act is currently sitting in the House Committee on Armed Services. Nothing has happened with this bill since it was introduced in December 2025, and it is considered stalled. The committee must choose to review the bill before it can move any further in the legislative process.
No action since December 2025
This bill has strong bipartisan support and helps a popular group, but it might face pushback from companies that manage drug plans or concerns about the cost to the military budget.
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Active-duty service members and their families covered by TRICARE would gain the ability to fill brand-name maintenance prescriptions at local retail pharmacies instead of relying on mail order. This is especially helpful for families who move frequently between duty stations and need consistent access to nearby pharmacies.
“Beginning on October 1, 2026, an eligible covered beneficiary may elect to receive non-generic prescription maintenance medications through any means described in paragraph (2)(E).”
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Senator Tom Cotton and Senator Tim Kaine introduced the Rx ACCESS Act to protect independent pharmacies from unfair reimbursement practices in the TRICARE program. The bill ensures military families have easy access to prescriptions at pharmacies of their choice rather than being forced into mail-order.
The Rx ACCESS Act would allow TRICARE patients to fill prescriptions for non-generic drugs at local pharmacies, a move intended to reverse the trend of community pharmacies leaving the network due to low reimbursement rates. Sen. Kaine noted the bill treats military families like the general public.
Most TRICARE health plan costs will rise between 2% and 3% in 2026, with prescription drug costs seeing steeper increases of over 15%. The new rates affect enrollment fees, deductibles, and copayments for medical services across different beneficiary groups.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Rx ACCESS Act
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