Rx ACCESS Act
Rep. Kiggans Introduces Bipartisan Rx ACCESS Act to Expand Pharmacy Choice for Military Families
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
The Rx ACCESS Act was recently introduced and is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Armed Services. It is in the early stages of the lawmaking process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes scheduled for this bill at this time.
Part of: story →Legislative Progress
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.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
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).”
Programs
Disabilities
State Impacts
Milestones
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.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articlesCotton Introduces Bill to Strengthen Access to Care for Active-Duty Military Families
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.
Kaine introduces bill to make using military health insurance at local pharmacies easier
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.
Costs for Tricare Are Going Up in 2026
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.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Rx ACCESS Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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