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According to a new report, Left Behind: An Analysis of Charity Care Provided by Hospitals Enrolled in the 340B Discount Program, nearly two out of three 340B hospitals are consistently providing below average rates of charity care, which is defined as free or discounted hospital care provided to patients who meet certain income requirements.

Federally sponsored health care programs often start with the best intentions and have the potential to be successful in reducing the cost of quality health care across the nation.

The 340B Drug Pricing Program was created by Congress in 1992 to allow nonprofit healthcare providers with limited resources to ensure access to medicines for uninsured patients with acute and chronic health conditions and disorders.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) urged stakeholders at a 340B reform conference to help him find a Democrat to cosponsor legislation to change the drug discount program if they want it to move forward, while Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) said he’s not optimistic the program will be dealt with this Congress. Cassidy said that legislation is needed to permanently change the program since CMS’ effort to change reimbursement rates for 340B drugs was knocked down by the courts. “We are not...

Patient advocates, health care leaders, and members of Congress united at the sixth annual National Alliance for Integrity and Reform of 340B (AIR340B) Stakeholder Summit in Washington, DC, to discuss how to fix the 340B drug discount program so it benefits the low-income, vulnerable, or uninsured patients it was intended to help.

Amidst the swirl of conversations happening in Washington, D.C., and across the country on health care, there is an ongoing and important discussion about the 340B drug discount program. Created nearly three decades ago to serve as a safety-net drug discount program for America’s needy patients, the program is a prime example of well-intentioned policies that haven’t worked as planned and have resulted in patients paying the price through higher out-of-pocket costs.

The health of America’s most vulnerable should be a priority for everyone, not a bipartisan battle.

As Americans, we’re blessed to live in a nation where investments and innovations in health care help millions of people every day to manage and overcome their illnesses. Yet the escalating prices of prescription drugs are a daily concern for every American in need of them. In fact, it’s one of the top concerns I hear from Iowans at my annual 99 county meetings as well as through phone calls and emails.