Washington, DC… In an effort to improve the uptake of PrEP to prevent HIV, Sens. Tina Smith (D-MN) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Reps. Mark Takano (D-CA), Becca Balint (D-VT) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) have introduced the “PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026.” The updated bills create a comprehensive national PrEP program by guaranteeing zero-cost sharing coverage of PrEP by private and public payers, including new long-acting options, and setting up a national grant program to provide PrEP to those who are uninsured.
“We thank the leadership of Sens. Smith and Schiff and Reps. Takano, Balint and Pocan in reintroducing the PrEP Access and Coverage Act,” commented Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. “Passage of this bill will greatly expand access to PrEP for people who have health coverage across all payers and create a national grant program that includes community and provider outreach as well as PrEP drugs and associated services for the uninsured. We have a national HIV treatment program, but in order to end HIV, we need a comprehensive national HIV PrEP program.”
The PrEP Access and Coverage Act would:
- Ensure coverage of all PrEP drugs, including long-acting options, by private and public payers without patient cost-sharing or prior authorization barriers.
- Establish federal enforcement of insurance payer requirements, including annual reporting, since many insurers are not in compliance with current coverage requirements.
- Establish a grant program for states, community health centers, and others to provide PrEP to the uninsured and underserved communities.
- Establish public health education campaigns to increase utilization of PrEP.
- Prohibit discrimination based on PrEP use in disability insurance, long-term care insurance, or life insurance policies.
“HIV prevention tools such as PrEP can only be successful if people are able to access and afford them. The PrEP Access and Coverage Act, working alongside existing CDC HIV prevention programs and HRSA’s Ryan White Program and community health centers, will help provide the comprehensive system needed to increase PrEP uptake in our country. Ending HIV will require both a commitment to continue the funding that sustains our current progress and investing in new, targeted strategies to reach those currently who do not have access to PrEP,” concluded Schmid.
To read the Congressional sponsors’ press release click here. The Senate bill has 19 original cosponsors.
This press release was originally published March 4, 2026, by the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. HIV+Hep is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote quality and affordable healthcare for people living with or at risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other serious and chronic health conditions.
