Vindman, Ryan Introduce Legislation to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Service Members, Veterans, & Military Families

The MISSION Rx Act Would Reduce Spending on Prescription Drugs for Service Members and Their Families While Saving Taxpayers up to $6 Billion Annually

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18) - both retired U.S. Army veterans and Members of the House Armed Services Committee - introduced legislation to lower prescription drug costs for service members, military families, and veterans while saving taxpayers billions.

Building on the success of the Inflation Reduction Act's drug price negotiation program, the MISSION Rx Act would require TRICARE and the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay either the CMS-negotiated price or the program's original price for prescription drugs, whichever is lower.

"After serving 25 years in uniform, I know firsthand the sacrifices our service members, veterans, and military families make every single day. The last thing any of them should have to worry about is whether they can afford the prescription drugs they need," said Vindman. "The veterans and service members I represent in Virginia's Seventh District have earned every benefit this nation can give them. That's why I'm leading this commonsense effort to reduce the crushing cost of prescription drugs for those who have served and sacrificed."

"Military families have sacrificed so much for our country - it's absolutely unacceptable that they're being forced to pay more than other Americans for the same medication," said Ryan. "Our bill corrects this egregious oversight by ensuring that military families have access to the same lower drug prices that others do. Especially amid rising healthcare costs nationwide, leaving military families to bear the burden is simply un-American. They've stepped up and sacrificed for us - now we need to do right by them."

The MISSION Rx Act is also sponsored by U.S Representative Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.-06), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-02), Chris Deluzio (Penn.-17), Seth Moulton (Mass.-06), and Bill Keating (Mass.-09).

"As healthcare costs continue to rise across the country, the MISSION RX Act is a straightforward approach to reduce prescription drug costs," said Houlahan. "As the Centers for Medicaid Services negotiate reduced prices for citizens on Medicare and Medicaid, it only makes sense to pass those same lower prices to the people who sacrificed the most for our nation: our veterans and military families."

"Our bill will lower costs for America's veterans, servicemembers, and military families by ensuring they pay the lowest price the federal government has already negotiated for prescription drugs," said Goodlander. "No gimmicks, no new bureaucracy - just common sense and a promise kept to the patriots who served our country."

"Democrats in Congress finally beat back pharmaceutical corporations' power so that Medicare could negotiate down prescription drug prices," said Deluzio. "Our troops and veterans should benefit, too, whether they get their prescriptions covered under TRICARE or the VA. That's why I am signing onto the MISSION Rx Act. Still, America's healthcare system is broken way beyond just the high cost of prescription drugs. I'm in the fight to fix it - we've got to make sure that every American has healthcare they can afford."

"My district is home to a significant number of military families and veterans. And they, like all Americans, are being crushed by one of the worst affordability crises we've seen in recent memory," said Keating. "The last thing our American heroes and their families need to do is pay more out of pocket for vital medication. If Medicare can secure a better deal for seniors, then our veterans and service members deserve access to those same savings."

By paying the lowest available government-negotiated price, TRICARE and the VA would reduce spending on prescription drugs for servicemembers and their families while saving taxpayers billions. CMS estimates this policy could save up to $6 billion annually.

As CMS expands its drug price negotiations, the bill is designed to grow alongside the program, applying to any additional drugs subject to negotiated pricing in the future.

The MISSION Rx Act is supported by Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Marine Corps League, the Fleet Reserve Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, and Commissioned Officers Association Public Health Service.

"The Marine Corps League endorses the MISSION Rx Act for its intent to provide fairness and affordability for our military and veterans," said Bob Borka, National Executive Director/COO, Marine Corps League. "Lifesaving medication should be equally available to all Americans receiving federal benefits, including our military families and veterans. Ensuring access to affordable medication aligns with our Nation's promise to those who have served."

"The Fleet Reserve Association supports the goals of this legislation to reduce prescription drug costs for TRICARE and VA beneficiaries by ensuring access to the lowest available federal prices," said Theodosius Lawson, Director of Legislative Programs, Fleet Reserve Association. "This approach aligns with FRA's longstanding advocacy on behalf of sea service veterans, retirees, and their families."

"The Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service is very proud to support the MISSION Rx Act. This legislation takes a commonsense approach to lowering prescription drug costs for TRICARE and VA beneficiaries by ensuring they have access to the lowest available federal price for prescriptions," said Jasmine Stuart, Director of External and Legislative Affairs. "Access to affordable medications is critical for those who serve and have served our nation. We appreciate the leadership behind this effort and its focus on improving affordability and access for our uniformed services and veteran communities."

"The MISSION Rx Act is a commonsense win for Airmen, Guardians, our sister service members, veterans, and their families. There is no reason our servicemembers and veterans should pay more for prescription drugs than any other American," said Keith A. Reed, Chief Executive, Air Force Sergeants Association. "AFSA proudly supports this bill and thanks Representative Vindman, Representative Ryan, and the cosponsors for their commitment to military quality of life."

You can read full bill text here .

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