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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7853

Rep. Takano Introduces Bill to Make HIV Prevention Drugs Free for All Americans

PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026

20 days ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

  • The bill requires nearly all health insurance plans — private, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, federal employee, VA, TRICARE, and Indian Health Service — to cover HIV prevention drugs (PrEP and PEP) and all related services at zero cost to patients. This includes the medication itself, lab tests, doctor visits, and clinical monitoring.

    From policy text

    “any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration used for the prevention of HIV (other than a drug subject to preauthorization requirements consistent with section 2729A-11), administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring”
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  • Insurance companies would be banned from requiring prior authorization for PrEP drugs, removing a common bureaucratic hurdle that delays patients from starting prevention treatment. Plans could only require prior authorization if they already cover a therapeutically equivalent alternative without it.

    From policy text

    “A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall not impose any preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of the services described in section 2713(a)(5)”
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  • The bill makes it illegal for life, disability, or long-term care insurers to deny coverage, charge higher premiums, or discriminate against anyone for taking HIV prevention medication. Individuals harmed by violations can sue in federal court.
  • Privacy protections would be updated so that people on a family insurance plan can access PrEP without other family members — including the primary policyholder — being notified, addressing a key barrier for young adults and others who fear stigma.

    From policy text

    “individuals are able to access the benefits described in section 2713(a)(5) under a family plan without any other individual enrolled in such family plan, including a primary subscriber of or policyholder, being informed of such use of such benefits”
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  • A new federal grant program would fund states, tribes, and community health organizations to provide PrEP and PEP services to uninsured and underinsured people, alongside public education campaigns targeting communities disproportionately affected by HIV.

    From policy text

    “the Secretary shall establish a program that awards grants to States, territories, Indian Tribes, and directly eligible entities for the establishment and support of pre-exposure prophylaxis (referred to in this section as `PrEP') and post-exposure prophylaxis (referred to in this section as `PEP') programs”
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  • Most coverage provisions would take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. The Medicaid and CHIP changes also target that date, with a delay allowed for states that need to pass new legislation first.

    From policy text

    “The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), (e), (f), (g), and (h) shall take effect with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.”
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HealthcareCivil RightsVeterans

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 5, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, Natural Resources, Financial Services, and Education and Workforce, 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.

Mar 5, 2026

Introduced in House

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 7853
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, Natural Resources, Financial Services, and Education and Workforce, 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.
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Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 2

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.