PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
A BILL
To increase access to pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the transmission of HIV.
Sec. 2 Sense of Congress
Sec. 3 Coverage requirements
“(5) any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration used for the prevention of HIV (other than a drug subject to preauthorization requirements consistent with section 2729A–11), administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines, without limitation.”
“(v) Section 2713(a)(5) (relating to coverage without cost-sharing for prescription drugs for the prevention of HIV).”
“2799A–12. Prohibition on preauthorization requirements with respect to certain services
“A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall not impose any preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of the services described in section 2713(a)(5), except that a plan or issuer may impose preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of a particular drug approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or section 351(a) of this Act if such plan or issuer provides coverage without any preauthorization requirements for a drug that is therapeutically equivalent.”
“727. Prohibition on preauthorization requirements with respect to certain services
“A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage shall not impose any preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of the services described in section 2713(a)(5) of the Public Health Service Act, except that a plan or issuer may impose preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of a particular drug approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or section 351(a) of the Public Health Service Act if such plan or issuer provides coverage without any preauthorization requirements for a drug that is therapeutically equivalent.”
“9827. Prohibition on preauthorization requirements with respect to certain services
“A group health plan shall not impose any preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of the services described in section 2713(a)(5) of the Public Health Service Act, except that a plan may impose preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of a particular drug approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or section 351(a) of the Public Health Service Act if such plan provides coverage without any preauthorization requirements for a drug that is therapeutically equivalent.”
“(c) Any health benefits plan offered under this chapter shall include benefits for, and may not impose any cost-sharing requirements for any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration used for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines, without limitation.”
“(ll) HIV prevention services—For purposes of subsection (a)(4)(G), the term HIV prevention services means all prescription drugs used for the prevention of HIV acquisition, administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines without limitation.”
“(xv) HIV prevention services described in section 1905(a)(4)(G).”
“(13) HIV prevention services—Regardless of the type of coverage elected by a State under subsection (a), the child health assistance provided for a targeted low-income child, and, in the case of a State that elects to provide pregnancy-related assistance pursuant to section 2112, the pregnancy-related assistance provided for a targeted low-income pregnant woman (as such terms are defined for purposes of such section), shall include coverage of HIV prevention services (as defined in section 1905(ll)).”
“(LL) HIV prevention services (as defined in subsection (ooo));”
“(ooo) HIV prevention services—The term HIV prevention services means—
“(1) drugs or biologicals approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of HIV;
“(2) administrative fees for such drugs;
“(3) laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs; and
“(4) clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines, without limitation.”
“(10) Elimination of cost-sharing for drugs for the prevention of HIV—For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, with respect to a covered part D drug that is for the prevention of HIV—
“(A) the deductible under paragraph (1) shall not apply; and
“(B) there shall be no coinsurance or other cost-sharing under this part with respect to such drug.”
“(7) Treatment of cost-sharing for drugs for the prevention of HIV—The coverage is provided in accordance with subsection (b)(10).”
“(7) No application of cost-sharing or deductible for drugs for the prevention of HIV—For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, with respect to a covered part D drug that is for the prevention of HIV—
“(A) the deductible under section 1860D–2(b)(1) shall not apply; and
“(B) there shall be no cost-sharing under this section with respect to such drug.”
“(5) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a medication for the prevention of HIV.”
“(5) A veteran shall not be liable to the United States under this subsection for any amounts for laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration and used for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such a drug, or clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines, without limitation.”
“(C) Any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration and used for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such a drug, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such a drug, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines, without limitation.”
“(L) any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration and used for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such a drug, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such a drug, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines, without limitation; and”
“1074p. Coverage of HIV prevention treatment
“(a) In general—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure coverage under the TRICARE program of HIV prevention treatment described in subsection (b) for any beneficiary under section 1074(a) of this title.
“(b) HIV prevention treatment described—HIV prevention treatment described in this subsection includes any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration and used for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such a drug, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such a drug, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines, without limitation.
“(c) No cost-Sharing—Notwithstanding section 1075, 1075a, or 1074g(a)(6) of this title or any other provision of law, there is no cost-sharing requirement for HIV prevention treatment covered under this section.”
“224. Testing, monitoring, and prescription drugs for the prevention of HIV
“(a) In general—The Secretary, acting through the Director of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment under section 832, shall provide, without limitation, funding for any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (commonly known as “HIV”), administrative fees for that drug, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of that drug, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines.
“(b) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.”
Sec. 4 Prohibition on denial of coverage or increase in premiums of life, disability, or long-term care insurance for individuals taking medication for the prevention of HIV acquisition
Sec. 5 Public education campaign
“399V–8. Pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis education campaigns
“(a) Public education campaign
“(1) In general—The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, shall establish a public health campaign for the purpose of educating the public on medication for the prevention of HIV acquisition.
“(2) Requirements—In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure cultural competency and efficacy within high-need communities in which PrEP or PEP are underutilized by developing the campaign in collaboration with organizations that are indigenous to communities that are overrepresented in the domestic HIV epidemic, including communities of color and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. The Secretary shall ensure that the campaign is designed to increase awareness of the safety and effectiveness of PrEP and PEP, the recommended clinical practices for providing PrEP-related and PEP-related clinical care, and the local availability of PrEP and PEP providers, and to counter stigma associated with the use of PrEP and PEP.
“(3) Evaluation of program—The Secretary shall develop measures to evaluate the effectiveness of activities conducted under this subsection that are aimed at reducing disparities in access to PrEP and PEP and supporting the local community. Such measures shall evaluate community outreach activities, language services, workforce cultural competence, and other areas as determined by the Secretary.
“(b) Provider education campaign
“(1) In general—The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, shall establish a provider campaign for the purpose of educating prescribers and other associated health professionals on medication for the prevention of HIV acquisition.
“(2) Requirements—In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall increase awareness and readiness among health care providers to offer PrEP or PEP, as appropriate, with a focus on areas of high-need communities in which PrEP or PEP is underutilized by developing an educational campaign with input from health care providers and organizations from communities that are disproportionately affected by the domestic HIV epidemic, including communities of color and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. The Secretary shall ensure that the campaign is designed to increase awareness of the safety and effectiveness of PrEP and PEP, the recommended clinical practices for providing PrEP-related and PEP-related clinical care, cultural competency among PrEP and PEP prescribers, and to counter stigma associated with the use of PrEP and PEP.
“(3) Evaluation of program—The Secretary shall develop measures to evaluate the effectiveness of activities conducted under this subsection that are aimed at increasing the number of health care professionals offering PrEP and PEP and reducing disparities in access to PrEP and PEP. Such measures shall evaluate availability of PrEP and PEP services, education and outreach activities, language services, workforce cultural competence, and other areas as determined by the Secretary.
“(c) Definitions—In this section and section 399V–9—
“(1) the term PEP means any drug or combination of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for preventing HIV transmission after a sexual or other exposure associated with a high risk of HIV transmission; and
“(2) the term PrEP means any drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the purpose of pre-exposure prophylaxis with respect to HIV.
“(d) Authorization of appropriations—To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.”
Sec. 6 Patient confidentiality
Sec. 7 PrEP and PEP funding
“399V–9. Pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis funding
“(a) In general—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026, the Secretary shall establish a program that awards grants to States, territories, Indian Tribes, and directly eligible entities for the establishment and support of pre-exposure prophylaxis (referred to in this section as “PrEP”) and post-exposure prophylaxis (referred to in this section as “PEP”) programs.
“(b) Applications—To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), a State, territory, Indian Tribe, or directly eligible entity shall—
“(1) submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a plan describing how any funds awarded will be used to increase access to PrEP for uninsured and underinsured individuals and reduce disparities in access to PrEP and PEP for uninsured and underinsured individuals and reduce disparities in access to PrEP and PEP; and
“(2) appoint a PrEP and PEP grant administrator to manage the program.
“(c) Directly eligible entity—For purposes of this section, the term directly eligible entity—
“(1) means a nonprofit entity engaged in providing PrEP and PEP information and services; and
“(2) may include—
“(A) a Federally qualified health center (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4) of the Social Security Act);
“(B) a family planning grantee (other than States) funded under section 1001;
“(C) a rural health clinic (as defined in section 1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act);
“(D) a health facility operated by or pursuant to a contract with the Indian Health Service;
“(E) a community-based organization, clinic, hospital, or other health facility that provides services to individuals at risk for or living with HIV; and
“(F) a nonprofit private entity providing comprehensive primary care to populations at risk of HIV, including faith-based and community-based organizations.
“(d) Awards—In determining whether to award a grant, and the grant amount for each grant awarded, the Secretary shall consider the grant application and the need for PrEP and PEP services in the area, the number of uninsured and underinsured individuals in the area, and how the State, territory, or Indian Tribe coordinates PrEP and PEP activities with the directly funded entity, if the State, territory, or Indian Tribe applies for the funds.
“(e) Use of funds
“(1) In general—Any State, territory, Indian Tribe, or directly eligible entity that is awarded funds under subsection (a) shall use such funds for eligible PrEP and PEP expenses.
“(2) Eligible prep expenses—The Secretary shall publish a list of expenses that qualify as eligible PrEP and PEP expenses for purposes of this section, which shall include—
“(A) any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration used for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, including policy notes updating those guidelines, without limitation;
“(B) outreach and public education activities directed toward populations overrepresented in the domestic HIV epidemic that increase awareness about the existence of PrEP and PEP, provide education about access to and health care coverage of PrEP and PEP, PrEP and PEP adherence programs, and counter stigma associated with the use of PrEP and PEP;
“(C) outreach activities directed toward physicians and other providers that provide education about PrEP and PEP; and
“(D) adherence services and counseling, including personnel costs for PrEP navigators to retain patients in care.
“(f) Report to Congress—The Secretary shall, in each of the first 5 years beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of the PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026, submit to Congress, and make public on the website of Department of Health and Human Services, a report on the impact of any grants provided to States, territories, Indian Tribes, and directly eligible entities for the establishment and support of pre-exposure prophylaxis programs under this section.
“(g) Authorization of appropriations—To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.”