Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026

This bill would establish a program for the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with manufacturers to provide hepatitis C medications at no cost to specific high-risk and vulnerable populations, including those enrolled in Medicaid, the uninsured, and individuals in correctional facilities. The proposal would also provide grants to states and public health organizations to support screening and treatment coordination while eliminating cost-sharing for Medicare beneficiaries between 2028 and 2032. Participation would be mandatory for federal correctional facilities and the Indian Health Service, while state programs and local facilities could choose to opt in.

This bill affects individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C who are uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, receiving care through the Indian Health Service, or incarcerated in federal, state, or local correctional facilities. Additionally, Medicare beneficiaries would be eligible for cost-free hepatitis C medications starting in 2028. The legislation also impacts the Department of Health and Human Services, drug manufacturers, state health programs, and public health organizations through new purchasing contracts and grant opportunities.

• Hepatitis C drug purchasing contracts. The Department of Health and Human Services must enter into five-year contracts with manufacturers to provide hepatitis C medications without cost-sharing for specific high-risk and vulnerable populations.
• Eligibility for no-cost treatment. Eligible individuals include those diagnosed with hepatitis C who are uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, receiving care through the Indian Health Service, or confined to correctional facilities.
• Program participation requirements. Participation is mandatory for the Indian Health Service and federal correctional facilities, while state Medicaid programs, CHIP, and local correctional facilities may choose to opt into the program.
• Grants for screening and supportive services. HHS will award grants to states, public health organizations, and correctional facilities to coordinate and provide hepatitis C screening, treatment, and related support services.
• Medicare cost-sharing elimination. The bill allows Medicare beneficiaries to receive hepatitis C medications without cost-sharing requirements between the years 2028 and 2032.

The bill provides implementation funding for fiscal year 2027 and establishes a five-year purchasing contract for hepatitis C medications. Additionally, Medicare beneficiaries are eligible to receive these drugs without cost-sharing from 2028 through 2032.

The bill modifies the administration of several existing federal health programs, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare, by eliminating cost-sharing for hepatitis C medications for certain beneficiaries. It also establishes new requirements and purchasing authorities for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, and federal correctional facilities.

The bill aims to eliminate hepatitis C by establishing programs that provide free medications to high-risk and vulnerable populations, including those enrolled in Medicaid, incarcerated individuals, and the uninsured. It seeks to expand access to care through multi-year drug purchasing contracts, federal grants for screening and coordination, and the removal of cost-sharing requirements for Medicare beneficiaries.