Every Dollar Counts Act of 2026
To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require out-of-pocket expenditures for drugs to count towards an individual's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
This bill, HB8270 or the Every Dollar Counts Act of 2026, proposes to change how out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs are calculated in certain health plans. Currently, these costs may not always count towards an individual's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. The bill aims to require that all out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs count towards these limits. This means that once a person pays enough for their drugs, they would reach their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, potentially reducing future costs.
This bill would affect people with certain types of health insurance plans, including those covered under the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and those subject to the Internal Revenue Code. By making sure drug costs count towards deductibles and maximums, it could provide financial relief by preventing individuals from having to pay high costs repeatedly after reaching their limits.
As of April 14, 2026, HB8270 was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for further review. The bill is currently in its initial stages, and further actions will depend on the committees' reviews and recommendations.
