STATEMENT REGARDING WHITE HOUSE APPROVAL OF 340B MEDICARE DRUG COST SURVEY
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The following statement is attributed to 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni:
“We are deeply disappointed by the administration’s decision to move forward with this flawed survey. This strategy designed to justify deep Medicare payment cuts to safety-net hospitals will harm their ability to care for patients, especially those with low incomes and those living in rural areas. At a time when these hospitals are focused on the enormous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, they should not be burdened with participating in a survey that will consume precious time and resources in the name of cutting Medicare payments. While we are pleased that the White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB) has recognized some of the flaws in the survey, we believe those problems require that the survey be withdrawn.”
“340B hospitals are on the front lines of our national response to COVID-19. Today more than ever, they are facing unprecedented demands on their resources as they struggle to obtain necessary equipment, drugs, and staffing while deferring many patients’ care. Such a response requires the laser focus of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and administrators. This is no time to refocus on an attempt to deprive them of already limited resources.”
Contact: Richard Sorian at richard.sorian@340bhealth.org or 202-536-2285.