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Government watchdog finds lax oversight of 340B discounts

Community oncology practices hold a prominent spot in our state. They provide personalized care because physicians, nurses and other practice staff have the ability to develop ongoing relationships with their patients as they go through treatment.

Nearly 27.4 million people across the country have no health insurance, and about 147 million more have inadequate health insurance, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2017. This means that more than half of the American population experiences some form of health care insecurity and therefore may not be receiving proper medical care. To alleviate this problem, the 340B program was created in 1992 to aid vulnerable and uninsured Americans by reducing health care costs.

There’s an old story about a town that had a mouse problem. The town officials offered its residents 5 cents for every mouse tail they brought in as a way to incentivize the townspeople in the battle against infestation.

The Alliance for Integrity and Reform of 340B (AIR340B) issued the following statement regarding the 2020 Outpatient Prospective Payment System & Ambulatory Surgical Center Price Transparency Requirements for Hospitals to Make Standard Charges Public final rule.

As our leaders in Washington, D.C., seek ways to lower health care costs and increase access to quality care for all, they need to strengthen and protect programs that have a successful track record of bringing quality, low-cost coverage to millions.

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.