Bill > HR4409

This bill, called the "Fair Pharmacies for Federal Employees Act of 2025," aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest and anticompetitive practices in the federal employee health benefits system by prohibiting the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from contracting with health benefit carriers that own or are owned by pharmacies or pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for a federal employee health benefit carrier to directly or indirectly own, operate, or control a pharmacy or a PBM, and vice versa. PBMs are third-party administrators that manage prescription drug benefits for health plans, negotiating prices, creating pharmacy networks, and processing prescription drug claims. The bill provides comprehensive definitions for key terms like "pharmacy" (which includes various types such as retail, mail-order, and hospital pharmacies) and "pharmacy benefit manager." The legislation is designed to promote fair competition and prevent vertical integration that could potentially lead to increased healthcare costs or reduced choice for federal employees. The bill also includes a rule of construction that preserves the investigative and enforcement authorities of various federal and state entities, such as the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, under existing laws.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4409/all-info