PrEP Assistance Program Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7385

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-04-17T08:07:00Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "PrEP Assistance Program Act" (H.R. 7385) aims to increase access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication and related services designed to prevent HIV infection in at-risk individuals. It establishes federal funding mechanisms to support PrEP programs and reimburse providers, targeting high-risk communities, rural areas, uninsured people, and underserved groups to reduce HIV transmission and disparities.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program for PrEP Programs (Section 2):
• The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), must establish a grant program within one year of enactment.
• Grants go to "eligible entities" (e.g., states, local governments, Indian Tribal governments, Federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, community-based organizations, hospital-based clinics, or university-based clinics) to create or expand PrEP programs.
• Applications require details on fund use; preference is given to entities serving communities with high HIV rates (e.g., rural, uninsured, or high-risk demographic groups) or using innovative delivery methods like vending machines, pop-up clinics, or peer-led efforts.
• Maximum grant amount: $10 million per entity.
• Eligible uses include clinic/lab fees, office/telehealth visits, PrEP medications, HIV/STI testing, counseling, adherence support, outreach to train prescribers, peer navigation, case management, transportation, mental health services, and similar items.
• Services must be free to recipients; a 10% matching fund requirement applies (waivable for certain clinics if needed).
• HHS must submit annual reports to Congress for five years, including data on impacts by race, gender identity, age, and location, evaluating reductions in PrEP access disparities and HIV prevalence.
• Funding: $400 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2027–2031.

• Reimbursement Program for Uninsured Individuals (Section 3):
• HHS, through HRSA, must establish a program within one year of enactment to reimburse "program-registered providers" (licensed health care providers who agree not to charge uninsured patients) for providing specified HIV prevention items and services.
• Providers submit claims for services to uninsured individuals (those not covered by federal health programs, employer/individual insurance, or federal employee plans).
• A "PrEP Pass" (a card or digital tool) will be distributed to uninsured individuals for free access to services.
• Specified services include FDA-approved HIV prevention drugs (e.g., PrEP), administrative fees, and related lab/diagnostic tests per CDC guidelines.
• Payment rates set by HHS (reviewed every two years); lab tests match Medicare rates under existing law.
• Funding depends on appropriations availability.

• Definitions:
• PrEP medication: FDA-approved drugs to prevent HIV in at-risk people.
• Community-based organization: Nonprofits providing health services to high-risk groups.
• State: Includes U.S. states, D.C., and territories.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces entirely new federal programs without explicitly amending prior laws. It builds on existing frameworks like CDC guidelines and Medicare payment structures (e.g., for lab tests) but creates novel grant and reimbursement mechanisms for PrEP access. No direct changes to laws like the Social Security Act are specified, though it references definitions from them (e.g., for health centers and federal health programs).

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: HHS, CDC, and HRSA gain new responsibilities for program setup, grant administration, reimbursements, reporting, and PrEP Pass distribution, potentially increasing administrative workload and requiring new oversight for $400 million in annual grants plus reimbursement funding.
• Citizens: Improves free or low-barrier access to HIV prevention for uninsured and high-risk individuals (e.g., in rural or minority communities), potentially reducing HIV infections and health disparities. Matching requirements may limit participation for smaller entities without waivers.
• International Relations: No direct impacts; focuses on domestic U.S. public health.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• High-Risk and Uninsured Individuals: Primary beneficiaries, gaining free PrEP medications, testing, counseling, and support services.
• Health Care Providers and Eligible Entities: Community organizations, clinics, hospitals, tribes, states, and local governments can apply for grants or register for reimbursements, enabling program expansion but requiring applications and compliance.
• Communities with High HIV Rates: Rural areas, demographic groups (e.g., by race, gender identity), and underserved populations benefit from targeted preferences and innovative outreach.
• HHS and Sub-Agencies (CDC, HRSA): Responsible for implementation, funding allocation, and reporting.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes enforceable federal mandates for program creation and free services, with liability protections for providers (no billing uninsured patients). Relies on appropriations, so actual funding depends on congressional budgets; includes equity-focused data reporting to track disparities.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I to promote public health, without raising federalism issues (allows state/tribal participation). Waivers for certain entities support flexibility for underserved providers.
• Political: Promotes HIV prevention equity, potentially sparking debates on federal health spending, STI priorities, and support for LGBTQ+ or minority health initiatives, but remains focused on non-partisan public health goals without controversial mandates.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

Cosponsors (14)

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• PrEP Assistance Program Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (11 pages)