Naloxone Affordability Act of 2023
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study access to and affordability of naloxone (a medication that temporarily reverses opioid overdoses). The study must address matters related to out-of-pocket costs that consumers pay for naloxone and coverage for naloxone as an over-the-counter drug through Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance.
Historically, naloxone required a prescription and so was typically covered by health insurance. However, the Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan (a naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray) for use without a prescription on March 29, 2023, and health insurance does not generally cover over-the-counter medications.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4005 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
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) introduced
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 Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Naloxone Affordability Act of
2023''.
SEC. 2. STUDY ON NALOXONE ACCESS.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study on actions that may be taken to ensure appropriate
access and affordability of naloxone for individuals seeking to
purchase naloxone. Such study shall address what is known about--
(1) coverage of naloxone (in any available form), including
whether naloxone can be covered as an over-the-counter drug
under a group health plan or group or individual health
insurance coverage (as such terms are defined in section 2791
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-91)) or for
individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under
part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395 et seq.) or receiving medical assistance under a State
plan under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) or a
waiver of such plan;
(2) the out-of-pocket cost to consumers purchasing
naloxone--
(A) with a prescription, with and without coverage
under any such plan or coverage;
(B) over the counter, with and without coverage
under any such plan or coverage; and
(C) pursuant to a standing order; and
(3) other factors impacting coverage, including barriers in
covering naloxone as an over-the-counter drug, the relative net
costs of naloxone when purchased over the counter without
insurance coverage compared to when purchased with a
prescription and covered under a group health plan or health
insurance coverage, and the availability of naloxone purchased
and distributed through public health entities.
(b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit
to Congress a report that contains the findings of the study conducted
under subsection (a).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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