Valley Congressman Michael Rulli has introduced federal legislation aimed at ensuring patients can continue to access certain thyroid medications without new regulatory hurdles.
The bill, known as the Protecting Equal Access to Thyroid Act of 2026, or the PEAT Act, was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 30. Rulli, a Republican representing Ohio’s 6th District, was joined by Rep. Diana Harshbarger, a Republican from Tennessee, as a lead cosponsor.
The proposal seeks to change how the government classifies certain medical products. Under current law, the Food and Drug Administration generally classifies products containing proteins as “biological products.” The classification often requires manufacturers to follow a more complex and expensive approval process known as a biologics license application.
Rulli’s bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to create a specific exception. It states that a product should not be treated as a biological product just because it contains a protein that is “clinically inactive.” This means if a protein is present in medicine but does not actually help treat the condition, its presence alone would not trigger stricter biological regulations.
The issue stems from a 2010 law called the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act. That law required many protein-based products, such as insulin and human growth hormones, to transition from being regulated as traditional drugs to being regulated as biologics. While the FDA has stated it wants to ensure a smooth transition for manufacturers and patients, the change in classification can affect how medications are made, labeled, and sold.
By narrowing the definition of what counts as a biological product, the PEAT Act intends to keep certain thyroid treatments under traditional drug regulations. Supporters of the bill suggest this will prevent disruptions for people who rely on these specific medications for their daily health.
The bill has been sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for further review. If it passes there, it would then move to the full House for a vote.