Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2024) - The Alliance to Save America’s 340B Program (ASAP 340B) commends the House Energy & Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for holding a hearing to examine current trends and oversight of the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
“This hearing is a timely and necessary step towards addressing the challenges facing the 340B program. 340B is essential for many providers, including Community Health Centers and rural hospitals, to ensure low-income and uninsured patients have access to affordable medications and health care services. Despite astounding growth in recent years, we know the 340B program is not always benefiting the patients who need it most,” said Thomas Johnson, Executive Director of ASAP 340B. “In fact, the numerous concerning reports of misuse beg the question: where are all the savings going? We thank the Committee for its dedication to scrutinizing the program and identifying opportunities for improvement so that it can continue to fulfill its mission of supporting America's safety-net.”
The hearing comes on the heels of last week’s introduction of the 340B Affording Care for Communities and Ensuring a Strong Safety-Net (340B ACCESS) Act by Reps. Larry Bucshon (IN-8), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (GA-01), and Diana Harshbarger (TN-01). The landmark bill specifically responds to the need for greater accountability in the 340B program due to the current lack of clarity in the law.
Established more than 30 years ago, the 340B program was intended to help true safety-net providers increase access to affordable health care services and medications. Since 2017, the value of discounted medicines purchased through the program has grown nearly 180%. Today, the program accounts for more than $54 billion in discounted drugs. Some entities participating in 340B, such as large, well-resourced health systems, for-profit pharmacy chains, and pharmacy benefit managers, have taken financial advantage of the program while the patients it is meant to benefit have been left behind.
The ASAP 340B coalition welcomes the Committee’s oversight of 340B program abuse and their interest in realigning the program, where necessary. Last Fall, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee began an inquiry into how large hospital systems use 340B revenue after investigative reporting detailed a troubling pattern of misuse by large hospital systems including the Bon Secours Mercy Health and the Cleveland Clinic.
Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of Senators released a discussion draft of legislation outlining a plan to promote “clarity, transparency, and accountability” in the 340B program and to ensure it “remains strong, long into the future.” And last week, members of the House of Representatives introduced the 340B ACCESS Act, setting the bar for comprehensive, meaningful solutions that will address the well-documented misuse and ensure the 340B program can fulfill its original mission. Learn more about the 340B ACCESS Act here.
###
About the Alliance to Save America’s 340B Program (ASAP 340B)
The Alliance to Save America’s 340B Program (ASAP 340B) is a partnership of Community Health Centers, patient, provider and consumer advocates, and leaders from the biopharmaceutical industry working to improve the 340B program. ASAP 340B is focused on advancing meaningful and achievable changes in support of our nation’s safety-net providers and underserved communities. To learn more, visit asap340B.org and follow us on X(Twitter) @ASAP340B.
Comentarios