Contact Congress about H.R. 9096: Pharmacists Fight Back Act

Pharmacies would get minimum payments, and patients could get lower prices at the counter. The bill would also curb several pharmacy benefit manager practices and publish more Medicaid drug price data.

Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Pharmacists Fight Back Act is a House bill in Congress.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects pharmacies, patients, and pharmacy benefit managers in certain federal health programs. Pharmacies would get a set minimum payment and stronger protection from later payment cuts. Patients could pay less at the counter, but the bill does not state what would happen to premiums or overall program costs. States and more kinds of pharmacies would also have new Medicaid survey duties.

Why this matters: Pharmacies now may face payment swings and later fees from pharmacy benefit managers. This bill could make their payments more stable and tied to drug costs. Patients in covered programs could get more rebate savings when they buy medicine. More public Medicaid data could show what pharmacies pay for drugs. Still, the bill does not spell out the effects on premiums, total program spending, or access to specific drugs.

Key provisions in H.R. 9096

• Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, would have to pay in-network pharmacies at least the national average cost to buy a drug. If no national average exists, they would use the wholesale acquisition cost. They would add 2% of that cost or $25, whichever is less.
• PBMs would also pay each pharmacy a professional dispensing fee. The fee would match the Medicaid fee in the pharmacy’s state.
• A patient’s share of the price would reflect at least 80% of rebates tied to that prescription. If the exact rebate were unknown, the PBM would use last year’s average rebate for that drug or the highest possible rebate.
• PBMs could not push patients toward chosen pharmacies or stop them from using any in-network pharmacy. They also could not advertise one in-network pharmacy over another.
• PBMs could not charge patients more than they pay the pharmacy. They could not require a brand drug when a cheaper AB-rated generic is available. An AB-rated generic meets federal standards for replacing the brand drug. PBMs also could not use spread pricing, which means charging the plan more than they pay the pharmacy.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 9096

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 9096

What is H.R. 9096?

Pharmacies would get minimum payments, and patients could get lower prices at the counter. The bill would also curb several pharmacy benefit manager practices and publish more Medicaid drug price data.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 9096?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 9096?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on H.R. 9096?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.