No Big Blockbuster Bailouts Act
Sponsored By: Senator Peter Welch
Introduced
Summary
Would raise the sales threshold for orphan drugs in Medicare's drug-price negotiation to $400 million. The change would apply only to drugs designated for one or more rare diseases whose only approved indication or indications are for those diseases and would cover initial price-applicability years beginning on or after January 1, 2028.
Show full summary
- Manufacturers of orphan drugs approved only for rare diseases would be less likely to face initial Medicare price negotiation until annual U.S. sales exceed $400 million.
- The pool of orphan drugs subject to initial negotiation would be smaller for years starting January 1, 2028, narrowing which rare-disease medicines the program targets.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher drug price threshold for Medicare
This bill would raise the sales threshold for certain orphan drugs from $200 million to $400 million. That threshold helps decide which drugs enter Medicare price negotiations. If enacted, it would apply to initial price years starting on or after January 1, 2028. Medicare patients who use those orphan drugs could face higher prices because fewer drugs would enter negotiation.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Peter Welch
VT • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 10/21/2025
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 10/21/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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