{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcbath.house.gov/2026/09/15/mcbath-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-transparency-in-prescription-drug-market/", "McBath Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Transparency in Prescription Drug Market", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 This week, Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06) introduced the bipartisan Net Effective Cost Transparency and Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2026, legislation to increase transparency and competition in the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) market and help lower prescription drug costs. The bill is co-led by Representatives Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Rick Allen (GA-12), and Carol Miller (WV-01).\n\nPBMs serve as middlemen between health plans, pharmacies, and drug manufacturers and play a major role in determining prescription drug costs. However, rebates, discounts, fees, and other payments can make it difficult for health plans to determine what they are actually paying for prescription drugs.\n\nThe legislation introduced this week would require greater transparency around the \u201cnet effective cost\u201d of prescription drugs \u2014 essentially, what drugs actually cost after rebates, discounts, fees, and other price concessions are taken into account. By allowing PBM bids to be compared on a more consistent basis, the bill would promote greater competition and accountability across Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and employer-sponsored health plans.\n\n\u201cFamilies in Georgia and across this country are struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs. Convoluted PBM bidding practices have continued far too long without the safeguards in place to protect patients,\u201d said Congresswoman McBath. \u201cThis bill would help to simplify a complicated process and allow Americans access to health plans that work for them, not a PBM\u2019s bottom line.\u201d\n\n\u201cFamilies and seniors in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos deserve real transparency when it comes to what they pay for prescription drugs,\u201d said Congressman Mackenzie. \u201cOur bipartisan legislation will make it easier to understand the true cost after rebates, discounts, and fees are taken into account. By increasing transparency and competition among PBMs, we can help lower costs and ensure patients and health plans are getting a better deal.\u201d\n\n\u201cHealthcare is too complicated and drug pricing is the most complicated of all. This legislation pours sunlight into the inner workings of bids & prices, so that lower prices, not higher rebates, is what wins,\u201d said Congressman Auchincloss.\n\n\u201cThe Net Effective Cost Transparency and Prescription Drug Affordability Act is a continuation of our work to hold PBMs accountable and increase drug price transparency for America\u2019s families and seniors. Unfortunately, overly expensive prescription drugs are often a direct result of harmful PBM practices. This bipartisan effort will help address the rising cost of prescription drugs and provide relief for patients who have faced this financial burden for far too long,\u201d said Congressman Rick W. Allen.\n\n\u201cPatients should not have to navigate a maze of rebates, fees, and hidden costs to understand what they are paying for their prescriptions. The Net Effective Cost Transparency and Prescription Drug Affordability Act brings much-needed transparency to the PBM market and helps ensure that competition is driven by lower costs, not complicated pricing arrangements. I am proud to support this bipartisan effort to give patients and health plans greater clarity and help make prescription drugs more affordable for West Virginians,\u201d said Congresswoman Miller.\n\nRead the full bill text HERE.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcbath.house.gov/2026/09/15/mcbath-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-transparency-in-prescription-drug-market/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0001221671700478, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}