The Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026 mandates a national program to eliminate hepatitis C in the United States by expanding access to no-cost treatments, enhancing public health screening, and coordinating federal efforts through 2033.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Representative
IA-1
The "Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026" establishes a comprehensive national program to eliminate the hepatitis C virus in the United States by 2032. The bill mandates the creation of a federal strategy, an advisory committee, and a subscription-based drug procurement model to provide curative treatments at no cost to priority populations, including those in correctional facilities, Indian health programs, and Medicaid. Additionally, it authorizes significant funding for public health grants, diagnostic testing, and the elimination of out-of-pocket costs for hepatitis C treatments under Medicare.
Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026: New Subscription Model to Provide No-Cost Treatments for Millions Starting in 2027
The Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026 launches a massive federal effort to wipe out the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the U.S. by making life-saving treatments free for the people most likely to have it. Starting in 2027, the government will spend $5.5 billion to buy these drugs through a 'Netflix-style' subscription model—paying manufacturers a flat annual fee for five years in exchange for unlimited doses. This move is specifically designed to bypass the high price tags that usually keep these cures out of reach for those without top-tier insurance. The bill also clears the way for a national strategy to find and treat patients, backed by another $4.2 billion for screening and public health support through 2033.
The All-You-Can-Treat Model
Instead of paying per pill, the government will use competitive bidding to pick one or two drug companies to supply the entire program (Sec. 4). This is a game-changer for people who often fall through the cracks of our healthcare system. If you are on Medicaid or CHIP, uninsured, or receiving care through the Indian Health Service, you’ll be able to get these direct-acting antivirals with zero out-of-pocket costs. The bill even covers people currently in or recently released from state and local jails and federal prisons, ensuring that a lack of a permanent address or a steady job doesn't stop someone from finishing their treatment course. For a construction worker without insurance or a young person transitioning out of the justice system, this means access to a cure that used to cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Cutting Costs for Seniors
Seniors aren't being left out of the mix. Between 2028 and 2032, the bill amends the Social Security Act to completely eliminate deductibles and co-pays for Hepatitis C drugs under Medicare Part D (Sec. 7). This means if you’re a retiree on a fixed income, you won't have to choose between your grocery budget and the medicine needed to prevent liver failure. By removing these 'cost-sharing' barriers, the bill treats Hepatitis C like the public health emergency it is, focusing on getting the virus out of the population rather than haggling over individual pharmacy bills.
Finding the Missing Millions
Because you can’t treat what you haven’t found, the bill puts a heavy focus on 'wraparound services' and testing (Sec. 5). It funds grants for community health centers, opioid treatment programs, and Ryan White clinics to ramp up screening. Think of it as a 'boots on the ground' approach: the bill even allocates $20 million to develop fast, point-of-care tests that can give you a diagnosis on the spot. While this is great news for public health, the rollout will be a massive logistical lift. The government has to accurately estimate the 'covered population' to make the subscription deals work, and pharmacies will have to navigate new rules to ensure they don't accidentally double-dip into other federal discount programs like 340B. It’s a bold, high-stakes plan to cure a chronic disease at scale, provided the bureaucracy can keep up with the science.