Congress created 340B to expand access to care for vulnerable patients in California and across the country. That mission remains important. But without stronger accountability, the program will continue drifting away from its original mission.
A federal program intended to help low-income patients has instead become a major revenue source for large California hospital systems.
Hospitals are using gaps in oversight within the 340B Drug Pricing Program to lock in substantial margins on prescription drugs — and driving healthcare costs higher for Californians in the process.
Today, the state’s 340B hospitals earn 3.6 times more from the program than they spend on charity care.
It’s time for Congress to bring stronger accountability to 340B and ensure that the program actually serves its intended beneficiaries: vulnerable patients.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.
Congress should fulfill this drug program’s promise to vulnerable Californians
Wayne H Winegarden
Congress created 340B to expand access to care for vulnerable patients in California and across the country. That mission remains important. But without stronger accountability, the program will continue drifting away from its original mission.
A federal program intended to help low-income patients has instead become a major revenue source for large California hospital systems.
Hospitals are using gaps in oversight within the 340B Drug Pricing Program to lock in substantial margins on prescription drugs — and driving healthcare costs higher for Californians in the process.
Today, the state’s 340B hospitals earn 3.6 times more from the program than they spend on charity care.
It’s time for Congress to bring stronger accountability to 340B and ensure that the program actually serves its intended beneficiaries: vulnerable patients.
Read the entire op-ed here.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.