340B Drug Discount Program: New Rules and Protections
This bill is in the early stages of the legislative process and was sent to three House committees on July 5, 2026. It is currently stalled because no committee has scheduled a vote or taken action since it was introduced. The bill must be reviewed by these committees before it can move forward to the full House.
The bill has support from both parties, which is a strong sign for its future. However, it faces heavy pressure from both the hospital and drug industries, which often disagree on these rules.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Independent and contract pharmacies gain protection from discriminatory reimbursement and network rules imposed by pharmacy benefit managers and health plans, which could stabilize their 340B business. At the same time, contract pharmacies face new registration, written-agreement, audit, and recordkeeping requirements that add administrative burden.
“A group health plan, a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, or a pharmacy benefit manager may not discriminate against a covered entity”
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, 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.
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.
Reps. John Joyce and Scott Peters introduced the SECURE 340B Act (H.R. 9599) to modernize the 340B program. The bill pauses manufacturer rebates for four years, establishes a new patient definition, and creates a framework for contract pharmacies with increased oversight and transparency.
The SECURE 340B Act proposes a statutory definition of a 340B patient and requires hospitals to provide financial assistance to patients up to 400% of the FPL. It also prohibits hospitals from selling patient debt to collectors or reporting it to credit bureaus, aiming to protect low-income patients.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
SECURE 340B Act
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