FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON—We welcome today’s decision by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to respond to our lawsuit by issuing a final rule for enforcing 340B Drug Pricing Program ceiling price transparency and civil monetary penalties starting Jan. 1, 2019.
This rule is good for patients and for essential hospitals, which rely on 340B savings to make affordable drugs and health care services available to vulnerable people and underserved communities. It also ends years of delay for much-needed measures to hold drug companies accountable for knowingly overcharging covered entities in the 340B program.
The rule directs federal regulators to provide pricing information to 340B participating hospitals and other providers through a closed website, which is essential for ceiling price enforcement. We strongly encourage HHS to make this site available as quickly as possible after Jan. 1.
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About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. We support our more than 320 members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education. Communities depend on essential hospitals to provide specialized, lifesaving services; train the health care workforce; advance public health and health equity; and coordinate care. Essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead the way to more effective and efficient care. Learn more at essentialhospitals.org.
Contact:
Carl Graziano
cgraziano@essentialhospitals.org
202-585-0102