STATEMENT ON SENATE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON SAFEGUARDING AND STRENGTHENING 340B
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, three Republican and three Democratic senators issued a congressional request for information (RFI) seeking ideas to enhance the 340B drug pricing program. These senators have long been supporters of both 340B and 340B hospitals. 340B Health intends to share our ideas with these senators on behalf of the more than 1,500 hospitals and health systems we represent. The following statement is attributed to Maureen Testoni, president and CEO of 340B Health:
“340B Health appreciates the ongoing leadership of Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and John Thune (R-S.D.) in safeguarding and strengthening 340B, and we look forward to working with them on approaches to accomplish those goals.”
“340B hospitals play a vital role in the health care safety net, bridging critical gaps in health care access. They deliver 77% of Medicaid hospital care and 67% of the nation's uncompensated and unreimbursed care. They use 340B savings to provide specialized services that patients would otherwise struggle to afford and extend care to rural communities that would otherwise lack access, all without relying on taxpayer funding.”
“Unfortunately, the actions of more than 20 drug manufacturers are undermining the integrity of 340B by limiting access to life-saving medications through 340B hospital pharmacy partners. Any effort to strengthen 340B must reinstate hospitals’ ability to engage with multiple pharmacies to serve their patients and must not undermine other aspects of 340B that are working as intended.”
“Policymakers also must safeguard 340B from discriminatory payment policies by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and other payers. We look forward to working closely with these congressional leaders to advance policies that protect 340B hospitals and the patients in need who rely on them.”
Contact: Jon Tilton at jon.tilton@340bhealth.org or 202-536-2285