NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Smith, Rep. Takano, Reintroduce Bill to Expand Access to Lifesaving HIV Prevention Medications

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif-39) reintroduced the PrEP Access and Coverage Act, legislation to expand the availability of lifesaving HIV prevention medications and care. The bill would ensure HIV prevention drugs, as well as screenings, diagnostic procedures, administrative fees, and clinical follow-ups are covered by health insurance without out-of-pocket costs for patients. It would also establish community public health campaigns and improve access to medications for uninsured Americans.

The introduction of this bill comes as the Trump administration has initiated sweeping cuts to CDC grants that support HIV prevention programs and several states have limited funding for those receiving federally funded HIV treatment.

In addition to Senators Schiff and Smith, Congressman Mark Takano, Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT-At Large), and Congressman Mark Pocan (D-Wis.-02) are co-leading companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"HIV prevention drugs and care should be accessible and affordable to every American to keep our communities safe and help people live healthy lives. Under Donald Trump, health care is becoming increasingly expensive and unattainable as this administration makes devastating and politically motivated funding cuts to programs intended to mitigate the spread of HIV. This bill is essential to filling the gap with necessary HIV treatments to ensure people don't go without life-saving medication, and I'm proud to join my Senate and House colleagues in introducing it," said Senator Schiff.

"Everyone deserves access to affordable and effective accessible health care," said Senator Smith. "Minnesotans and folks across the country are unduly burdened by the costs associated with of preventative, life-saving HIV medication. It's especially important to introduce this bill now as the Trump Administration has made huge funding cuts limiting access to HIV medication. My bill makes sure patients can access HIV prevention drugs and all of the ancillary services that add up when they're trying to access this care."

"HIV can impact any of us, and it is critical that treatment and prevention are readily available to everyone," said Congressman Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. "This Administration has ushered in historic cuts to health care for millions of Americans, including access to PrEP and HIV prevention programs. I am proud to co-lead this legislation to ensure that access and availability are not barriers to putting an end to this public health crisis."

"Every Vermonter deserves affordable, stigma-free access to lifesaving HIV prevention and treatment," said Congresswoman Balint. "As the Trump administration drives up health care costs and slashes funding for PrEP and HIV prevention, I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to protect access to HIV medication and recommit to ending the HIV epidemic once and for all."

"Making it easier to access lifesaving medicines like PrEP just makes sense," Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Mark Pocan (WI-02) said. "We've made great strides in fighting this disease, but there is still more we can do. Removing barriers to these preventive medicines, rather than making folks go through hoops will save lives. Thank you, Senators Schiff, Smith, and Congressman Takano, for introducing this vital legislation."

The PrEP Access and Coverage Act would eliminate barriers and ensure access to HIV prevention medication by:

• Ensuring comprehensive health insurance coverage of HIV prevention drugs by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for the medications and associated costs for individuals who are enrolled in federally regulated private and public health insurance.
• Prohibiting prior authorization requirements for HIV prevention drugs under private and public health insurance plans.
• Prohibiting denying coverage or increasing premiums for disability insurance, long-term care insurance, or life insurance policies based on a person taking medication for HIV prevention.
• Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to establish public health education campaigns to increase utilization of PrEP and PEP among individuals at risk of contracting HIV.
• Establishing a grant program for States, Territories, Tribes, and health care facilities, such as Federally Qualified Health Centers and family planning centers, to expand access to PrEP and PEP for uninsured individuals and underserved communities.
• Directing the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury to monitor compliance with PrEP and PEP coverage requirements among private insurers and take appropriate enforcement actions.

In addition to Senators Schiff and Smith, this bill is co-sponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

This legislation is endorsed by the Congressional Equality Caucus, HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, PrEP4All, Equality California, The AIDS Institute, Whitman-Walker Health, Aliveness Project, National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), Human Rights Campaign, and NMAC.

"The 'PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026' would create a comprehensive national PrEP program that guarantees PrEP for everyone who needs it, both the insured and uninsured. It would fill a critical gap in our nation's response to ending HIV; while we have a comprehensive HIV treatment program, we need a corresponding program for prevention. We urge Congress to swiftly pass it," said HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute Executive Director Carl Schmid. "We praise Sens. Smith and Schiff and Reps. Takano, Balint, and Pocan for championing this bill that would ensure people with insurance have access to PrEP, including newer long-acting options, without cost-sharing or prior authorization. To increase PrEP uptake, especially in communities where it has been lacking, it would provide grants to states, community-based organizations, community health centers, and others to establish and support PrEP programs. These programs would not only provide PrEP for the uninsured, but also much needed community and provider outreach."

"We're grateful to Senator Smith and Senator Schiff for their leadership on the PrEP Access and Coverage Act. Communities most impacted by HIV continue to face unnecessary complexity in accessing PrEP medications, required lab work, and other essential services. With only one in four of the 2.2 million Americans who could benefit from PrEP currently able to access it, the need for clear, consistent, no-nonsense PrEP coverage across all public and private insurers is urgent. At a moment when protections for preventive care are being actively undermined, this legislation would safeguard and strengthen a national vision for PrEP access that aligns with our shared goal of ending HIV as an epidemic," said Jeremiah Johnson, Executive Director, PrEP4All

The full text of the bill is available here.

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