The association last week responded to a request for information about the 340B Drug Pricing Program issued by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), ranking member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In their Oct. 9 solicitation, the Republican leaders of the congressional committees with jurisdiction over the 340B program requested ideas on ways to modernize and improve the program. The association responded by asserting that no fundamental reforms are necessary for the 340B program at this time, citing examples of how essential hospitals across the country use the program to meet their mission-driven role in the health care safety net.
Congress created the 340B program nearly three decades ago to help covered entities, including hospitals, stretch scarce resources as they meet their commitment to care for vulnerable patients. This program continues to work, enabling essential hospitals to reduce drug prices and expand access to comprehensive services in the communities they serve.
America’s Essential Hospitals will continue to advocate to protect the 340B program for essential hospitals and their patients.
Contact Vice President of Legislative Affairs Carlos Jackson at cjackson@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0112 with questions.
