Kinzinger’s Medicaid drug rebate pricing bill passes House as part of larger legislation

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) on Wednesday commended approval by the U.S. House of Representatives of a bipartisan bill that includes his legislation to reform Medicaid drug rebate pricing.

“For far too long, drug manufacturers have utilized a loophole to reduce their own financial obligations on prescription medications, which has put the burden directly on patients in my district and across the country,” Rep. Kinzinger said. “I’m proud to see the Fair and Accurate Medicaid Pricing Act pass through the House today. It’s time we close this loophole and ensure drug prices are accurate and fair for patients.”

The House on June 18 voted 371-46 to pass the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act of 2019, H.R. 3253, which includes the Fair and Accurate Medicaid Pricing Act of 2019, H.R. 3276, cosponsored by Rep. Kinzinger and U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA) to exclude authorized generic drugs from calculation of the average manufacturer price for purposes of the Medicaid drug rebate program.

By forcing pharmaceutical companies to accurately calculate prices in the Medicaid drug rebate program, this legislation would close a loophole that costs taxpayers almost $600 million a year, according to Rep. Kinzinger’s office.

“At a time when we’re facing rising prescription drug costs, our legislation will ensure that the needs of patients come first,” the congressman said.

The U.S. Senate on June 19 received H.R. 3253 for consideration.