340B Health

STATEMENT ON NEW FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO RESTRICT 340B HOSPITAL ELIGIBILITY

in 340B Health News Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.— A newly proposed federal bill would remove many hospitals from eligibility for the 340B drug pricing program, reduce the amounts of 340B-eligible drugs, and decrease the numbers of patients who would be eligible to receive discounted drugs. The introduction of the 340B ACCESS Act comes after the introduction of the 340B PATIENTS Act (H.R. 7635), which would end harmful drug company limits on hospital access to 340B pricing through community and specialty pharmacies.

The following statement is attributed to 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni:

“The 340B ACCESS Act is the legislative version of a pharmaceutical industry wish list for major cuts to 340B. Drug companies already have imposed unilateral restrictions on 340B that have harmed patient access to care. Now the industry wants to enlist Congress in slashing eligibility for 340B, dialing back its responsibilities to support the health care safety net, and boosting its profit margins even more. 340B hospitals provide 77% of hospital care to Medicaid patients and 67% of the nation’s unpaid hospital care, making it an indispensable resource for America’s most vulnerable patients and the entire health care safety net. 340B-funded care does not rely on taxpayer dollars.”

“If this bill were to become law, it would decimate the resources that enable crucial care and eliminate effective curbs on drug price hikes for 340B and non-340B drugs alike. We will continue to work with lawmakers to educate them on how devastating the 340B ACCESS Act would be for patient care and to encourage them to ensure a healthy future for 340B by supporting the 340B PATIENTS Act.”

Contact: Jon Tilton at jon.tilton@340bhealth.org or 202-536-2285