What does Preamble of HANDS Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act and title 10, United States Code, to provide no-cost coverage for the preventive distribution of opioid overdose reversal drugs,' aims to amend several U.S. codes. The bill intends to provide no-cost coverage for the preventive distribution of opioid overdose reversal drugs.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HANDS Act do?

This Act is formally titled the Hospitals As Naloxone Distribution Sites Act or the HANDS Act.

What does NO-COST COVERAGE OF PREVENTIVE OPIOID OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUGS. of HANDS Act do?

This section amends the Social Security Act to require Medicare coverage of preventive opioid overdose reversal drugs, as defined in section 1861(nnn), furnished on or after January 1, 2026. It prohibits cost sharing for these drugs under Medicare Advantage plans. The legislation mandates that states include preventive opioid overdose reversal drugs in Medicaid coverage, beginning January 1, 2026, without imposing deductions or cost-sharing. TRICARE is also amended to prohibit cost-sharing for preventive opioid overdose reversal drugs for eligible beneficiaries starting January 1, 2026. The Food and Drug Administration is directed to issue guidance to state boards of pharmacy, nursing, and medicine regarding safe dispensing and distribution of these drugs. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must provide guidance to hospitals on billing for these drugs.

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HANDS Act

Last updated: 9/3/2025 · Introduced: 9/3/2025

Author: Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)

TL;DR (AI)

The HANDS Act requires Medicare to cover preventive opioid overdose reversal drugs without cost-sharing, effective January 1, 2026.
States are mandated to include these drugs in Medicaid coverage without deductions or cost-sharing, also effective January 1, 2026.
TRICARE will prohibit cost-sharing for eligible beneficiaries receiving preventive opioid overdose reversal drugs, beginning January 1, 2026.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

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