July 20, 2020— A decade-and-a-half ago, Chicago patient Hanan Tadros was feeling overwhelmed. She was struggling to manage her multiple chronic health conditions and juggle her more than 10 prescription medications for diabetes, depression, and more. That’s when a hospital participating in the 340B drug pricing program intervened to help change her life for the … [Read more...]
340B DSH Hospitals Provide Three-Quarters of Medicaid Hospital Services
July 16, 2020— New research shows that disproportionate share (DSH) hospitals that participate in the 340B drug pricing program provide 75% of Medicaid hospital services. That figure is even more impressive when you consider that these facilities make up only 43% of all acute care hospitals. This conclusion is one of several key findings in 340B Health’s new report … [Read more...]
Bipartisan Bill Would Protect 340B Status During Emergency
July 8, 2020— New bipartisan legislation introduced by six senior members of the U.S. Senate would protect hospitals from losing eligibility for the 340B drug pricing program during the COVID-19 health emergency. The bill (S. 4160) was introduced July 2 by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the majority whip and second-ranking member in the Senate. Thune was joined by five original … [Read more...]
340B Providers Need to Stay Informed During the Pandemic
July 6, 2020— The first half of 2020 has been a challenging time for our nation and for covered entities participating in the 340B drug pricing program. Hospitals, health centers, and clinics have spent most of the year mobilizing their COVID-19 responses while continuing to work tirelessly to care for underserved patients with a variety of chronic and acute medical … [Read more...]
Congress Urged to Loosen Limits on 340B Discounts for Orphan Drugs
June 29, 2020— A pair of researchers is calling on Congress to relax the limitations on 340B price discounts for orphan drugs at safety-net hospitals during the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an opinion piece posted June 25 in Health Affairs, they note that many of the drugs being tested to treat or prevent COVID are considered orphan drugs – meaning they were … [Read more...]
340B Is a Cancer Lifeline for the Underserved
June 25, 2020— Although cancer can sicken and kill people of all races and ethnicities, disability statuses, and socioeconomic levels, it is a documented fact that members of certain underserved populations are more likely to have problems accessing cancer treatments and to have worse health outcomes. It is also a documented fact that hospitals participating in the 340B … [Read more...]
Faces of 340B: Keeping the Lights on Through Boom and Bust
June 18, 2020 - Providers at the only health care facility in Williston, N.D., know how critical it is that they are there, especially during tough economic times. And when those times are the toughest, the 340B drug pricing program is there to help. The region served by CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Medical Center is about 50 miles from the Canadian border in the … [Read more...]