NACHC is pleased to support landmark legislation introduced in the US House of Representatives that includes key reforms needed to protect the federal drug discount program known as 340B. The introduction of the 340B ACCESS Act is just the start, however, of the process to find a legislative solution to stabilize the 340B program. This is the first comprehensive legislation of its kind to be introduced and it will evolve as it goes through the legislative process – like all bills do. It will be refined by members of Congress and their staff as they try to perfect it — and their will be multiple opportunities for health center advocates to give input.
The legislation, 340B ACCESS Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), takes a comprehensive approach to 340B reform that addresses issues of the most concern to Community Health Centers — including those related to contract pharmacies, defining the intent of the program, and PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers).
This legislation also marks an important milestone in NACHC’s longstanding efforts to protect 340B and bring together diverse stakeholders to align around a comprehensive solution with the launch last year of the Alliance to Save America’s 340B Program (ASAP 340B). NACHC tried litigation, the alternative dispute resolution process, until it became abundantly clear the only path forward was federal legislation.
Highlights of the 340B ACCESS Act for health centers
Here are a few key highlights. This legislative solution:
- Protects health centers’ ability to serve all patients, regardless of their ability to pay by increasing access to affordable medications and health services for medically underserved communities.
- Restores access to unlimited contract pharmacies, including access to mail order and specialty pharmacies, enabling greater access for health center patients.
- Ensures that health centers and their patients have access to affordable medications for prescriptions written by specialty providers.
- Stops “middle men” (corporations that seek to profit from savings) from taking the savings away from the health center that is providing overall care to the patient and their community.
- Increases transparency and accountability for all stakeholders in the program.
For many health centers, reinvested 340B savings fuels innovation, allowing them to provide essential services not reimbursed by insurance. Learn more about what 340B means for health centers. If Congress does not protect the 340B program, more safety net providers will continue to suffer under the current restrictions.
We want to hear from you
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Learn more about the 340B ACCESS Act
- NACHC Summary of 340B Access Act
- Take a Deep Dive into the Bill Text
- Review the Summary from ASAP 340B
- Review How it Benefits Community Health Centers
- NACHC Press Release on 340B ACCESS Act
- Attend 340B Office Hours June 27, 3-4pm ET