June 5, 2014—Sylvia Mathews Burwell, whose nomination to be the next U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services is expected to be approved today, will have weighty decisions to make about the 340B program soon after taking office. … [Read more...]
HRSA Plans to Issue Two More 340B Regulations
Rules will apply to AIDS drug assistance programs and hemophilia treatment centersJune 3, 2014—The Health Resources and Services Administration plans in the coming months to issue two more proposed 340B program regulations on top of its comprehensive program rule currently slated for release in July. … [Read more...]
The 340B Program is Not the Cause of Higher Cancer Treatment Costs
The idea that the 340B drug discount program is the cause of rising cancer treatment costs is missing the point. Quality cancer care comes at a price. Now, who is going to pay it? By Holly Russo, RN MSN, MSECS It’s no secret that changes in the healthcare industry have driven oncology patients from private practices to the nation’s safety net hospitals for their care. … [Read more...]
PhRMA Lays Down Markers for 340B Mega-Reg
Calls for program to be limited to "uninsured individuals"May 29, 2014—The nation's major drug companies gave White House officials a 16-page document last week detailing changes they want to see made to the 340B drug discount program in the forthcoming comprehensive 340B regulation. … [Read more...]
Federal Judge Invalidates 340B Orphan Drug Regulation
Rules that Congress did not grant HHS the requisite rulemaking authorityMay 23, 2014—A federal district judge ruled today that the Department of Health and Human Services has no authority under the 340B statute to promulgate regulations implementing the Affordable Care Act's 340B orphan drug exclusion, which applies to hospitals registered in 340B as critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals, rural referral centers, and free-standing … [Read more...]
340B Comes Up During House Hearing on Medicare Payments
Lawmakers' questions echo drugmakers' and private oncologists' complaintsMay 22, 2014—Reps. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) voiced concerns about the 340B program during a House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing yesterday on Medicare payment reform. … [Read more...]
Standing Up for 340B in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee
People struggling to get by in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee are receiving vital health services thanks to their local hospitals' access to 340B drug discounts, a cancer physician and hospital leader write in in their local newspapers. "The 340B program is working exactly as it was intended by giving patients who need lifesaving care an opportunity to receive it at … [Read more...]