Naloxone Affordability Act of 2023

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 4005 To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on naloxone access. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 12, 2023 Ms. KUSTER (for herself, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, and Ms. CRAIG) intro- duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on naloxone access. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Naloxone Affordability 4 Act of 2023’’. 5 SEC. 2. STUDY ON NALOXONE ACCESS. 6 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 7 United States shall conduct a study on actions that may 8 be taken to ensure appropriate access and affordability of 9 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:07 Jul 12, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H4005.IH H4005 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 4005 IH naloxone for individuals seeking to purchase naloxone. 1 Such study shall address what is known about— 2 (1) coverage of naloxone (in any available 3 form), including whether naloxone can be covered as 4 an over-the-counter drug under a group health plan 5 or group or individual health insurance coverage (as 6 such terms are defined in section 2791 of the Public 7 Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–91)) or for in- 8 dividuals entitled to benefits under part A or en- 9 rolled under part B of title XVIII of the Social Se- 10 curity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) or receiving 11 medical assistance under a State plan under title 12 XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) or a waiv- 13 er of such plan; 14 (2) the out-of-pocket cost to consumers pur- 15 chasing naloxone— 16 (A) with a prescription, with and without 17 coverage under any such plan or coverage; 18 (B) over the counter, with and without 19 coverage under any such plan or coverage; and 20 (C) pursuant to a standing order; and 21 (3) other factors impacting coverage, including 22 barriers in covering naloxone as an over-the-counter 23 drug, the relative net costs of naloxone when pur- 24 chased over the counter without insurance coverage 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:07 Jul 12, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H4005.IH H4005 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HR 4005 IH compared to when purchased with a prescription and 1 covered under a group health plan or health insur- 2 ance coverage, and the availability of naloxone pur- 3 chased and distributed through public health enti- 4 ties. 5 (b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 6 of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 7 the United States shall submit to Congress a report that 8 contains the findings of the study conducted under sub- 9 section (a). 10 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:07 Jul 12, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H4005.IH H4005 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB