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Over the past year, there has been a growing body of evidence that the 340B program doesn’t always best serve vulnerable or uninsured patient populations. Evidence has also raised questions about how some hospitals use the 340B program.

After mounting evidence from government watchdogs, academics, patient advocates, lawmakers, and concerned citizens that the safety-net 340B drug discount program was enriching hospitals at the expense of the low-income patients it was intended to serve, the American Hospital Association (AHA) finally announced new principles that they claim will ensure “good stewardship” of the program.

Enacted more than 25 years ago with bipartisan support, the 340B program was designed to help healthcare safety net providers deliver more affordable outpatient prescription drugs to vulnerable or uninsured patients.

The 340B drug discount program — a vital safety-net program created to help millions of vulnerable or uninsured patients receive care — is no longer benefiting many of the patients it was meant to serve. That’s according to mounting findings from congressional investigations, independent economists, and government watchdogs. Two new studies released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) add to these growing concerns, looking specifically at contract pharmacies and hospitals in the 340B program. GAO’s latest conclusions provide further evidence more must be done to fix the 340B program and bring it back to the original intent of helping patients.

The AIR340B Coalition issued the following statement in response to the new principles for good stewardship of the 340B program announced by the American Hospital Association (AHA) today.

A program meant to help the poor has grown beyond its original intent.

Bucshon leading way on Pause Act

With 340B being back in the news and with beneficial legislation in the works, I wanted to take the opportunity to reshare my thoughts.