By Maureen Testoni August 15, 2022– The last time I quoted from the musical “Hamilton” in this blog was two years ago, when the attendees of the virtual 340B Coalition Summer Conference were grappling with “a world turned upside down” by a global pandemic and economic decline. As I reflect on the in-person summer conference that we held earlier this month, I am reminded of … [Read more...]
The End Appears Near for Medicare Cuts to 340B Hospitals
July 26, 2022— For more than four years, hospitals participating in the 340B drug pricing program have been speaking out against Medicare payment cuts that have reduced resources they use to care for patients in need. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously decided the cuts are unlawful, Medicare officials are making plans to abandon them starting in January. Earlier … [Read more...]
Faces of 340B: Community Pharmacy Restrictions Mean Worse Health Outcomes
July 13, 2022 – Pharmacist Hali Brown becomes frustrated when she thinks about all the patients in northeast Kansas who have been hurt by drug company restrictions on discounts to safety-net hospitals. For two years, Hali’s health system, Community HealthCare System (CHCSKS), has struggled to ensure patients can access the medications they need now that 18 drug companies have … [Read more...]
340B Hospitals on the Front Lines of the Fight for Health Equity
July 8, 2022– The national campaign to address deep inequities in health and health care in the U.S. will require comprehensive changes throughout the health care system. Safety-net hospitals participating in the 340B drug pricing program can be key forces in that movement for change. A recent annual report from 340B Health profiles seven hospitals and health systems that … [Read more...]
U.S. Supreme Court Backs 340B Hospitals by Striking Down Medicare Cuts
June 24, 2022 — It is rare for the U.S. Supreme Court to agree to consider a legal case in the first place. Nor do the Supreme Court justices always agree on the decision after agreeing to review such a case. But that is exactly what the court did when it unanimously decided in favor of hospitals participating in the 340B drug pricing program on the issue of Medicare payment … [Read more...]
Congressional Champions Stand Up to Defend 340B
June 20, 2022— Members of the U.S. House of Representatives from both political parties went to the House floor recently to deliver a historic series of speeches honoring the upcoming 30th anniversary of the 340B drug pricing program and urging their colleagues to defend the program against unlawful attacks by drug companies. The lawmakers’ unified message was that 340B is … [Read more...]
340B Is Key in the Fight to End Viral Hepatitis
May 27, 2022 – In January 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a strategic plan to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Hospitals participating in the 340B drug pricing program are a key element of that ambitious goal. They are using their 340B savings to achieve measurable improvements in health outcomes for patients with hepatitis C. National … [Read more...]