LUGPA Policy Update
House Committee Advances H.R. 2484 to Expand Access to Physician-Dispensed Medications

April 2025 

On April 29, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced H.R. 2484, the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act, with strong bipartisan support in a 38–7 vote. The legislation aims to make permanent certain flexibilities first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive physician-dispensed Part D medications via mail delivery or caregiver pickup. These provisions would be implemented under a five-year exception to the Stark Law, helping ensure continued access to critical therapies while maintaining program integrity.

The bill includes safeguards such as an annual in-person visit requirement and directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on prescribing patterns and utilization to monitor the policy’s impact. While H.R. 2484 is not limited to any single disease area, it is especially relevant for patients undergoing cancer treatment or managing complex chronic conditions, where timely and coordinated access to medications is essential.

Although the bill received broad bipartisan support, some committee members expressed concerns about the potential for unintended consequences. Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and other Democrats raised the possibility that the policy could accelerate corporate consolidation and vertical integration, particularly by large insurers and drug wholesalers acquiring physician practices. They also cautioned that the growth of centralized mail-order systems could disadvantage independent pharmacies and smaller providers.

In contrast, supporters of the bill, including Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), emphasized its patient-focused intent. They argued that opposition primarily comes from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) seeking to protect their market share, rather than from genuine concern about patient care. Advocates contend that empowering physicians to dispense medications directly, within a regulated framework, offers patients more flexibility and improves adherence, particularly for those with serious health conditions.

The Committee favorably reported H.R. 2484, with 38 members voting in support and seven opposed. The bill had previously passed the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously in the last Congress and continues to receive broad support from healthcare stakeholders, including LUGPA.

LUGPA strongly supports H.R. 2484 for its role in expanding patient access to physician-dispensed medications. The legislation enhances flexibility, supports continuity of care, and preserves patient choice—all critical for effective treatment, especially in oncology. We will continue working with lawmakers to advance this important, patient-centered policy through the full House and Senate.