November 19, 2018—The midterm elections were not the only source of Washington-related news in recent weeks with implications for the health care system. When it comes to 340B, several key events occurred in the days leading up to Election Day that might have longer-lasting implications for the program than the makeup of the 116th Congress. White House thinks globally on … [Read more...]
Congressional Leader Urges Medicare to Reverse 340B Hospital Cuts
October 19, 2018—Responding to a call for help from hospital CEOs in his home state and across the country, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has urged Trump administration health officials to reverse a nearly 30 percent cut in Medicare Part B drug reimbursement to hospitals in the 340B drug pricing program. Speaking at United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) … [Read more...]
Faces of 340B: “Healing for Life”
October 12, 2018—Frequent hospitalizations are not just hard on patients, their families, and their caregivers – they also incur significant costs for the entire health system. This is especially true for patients with treatable chronic illnesses who are unable to control their medical conditions. For one such patient at Intermountain Healthcare, an integrated health … [Read more...]
700-plus hospitals join 340B letter to Congress
October 3, 2018—Chief executives of more than 700 hospitals and health systems from all 50 states and the District of Columbia delivered a message today to the top Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress: Protect the 340B drug discount program from legislative or regulatory efforts to curtail its effectiveness. “Americans are right to be upset with the high prices … [Read more...]
Hospital Groups Reiterate Opposition to CMS’s 340B Hospital Payment Cuts
September 27, 2018—Major national hospital associations this week protested the federal government’s plan to continue a nearly 30 percent reduction in Medicare drug reimbursement to 340B hospitals in 2019 and extend the payment cuts to certain outpatient departments that are currently exempt. In separate public comments sent to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid … [Read more...]
Faces of 340B: Every Patient, Every Time
September 26, 2018—Madison Memorial Hospital is a 69-bed, county-owned facility in southeastern Idaho that provides needed primary and specialty care for its community without relying on any additional funding from the taxpayers. Part of how it can do that is through the savings it realizes from the 340B program. Dorsie Sullenger, the hospital’s director of pharmacy, notes … [Read more...]
340B Health and Other Groups Sue HHS Challenging Delay of 340B Regulation
September 11, 2018—Today, 340B Health and three other national hospital associations have filed suit to force the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enforce rules prohibiting manufacturers from overcharging 340B providers. The suit also would compel HHS to post 340B ceiling prices on a secure website. In 2010, Congress responded to a series of reports by … [Read more...]