![](https://www.nachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Press-Statement-1-e1636637157146.png)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alexandra Walker 718-938-2820
Historic Legislation Reflects NACHC’s Work to Bring 340B Stakeholders Together
BETHESDA, MD—The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) applauds legislation that includes key reforms needed to protect the federal drug discount program known as 340B. The landmark bill, 340B ACCESS Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), 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 of the Alliance to Save America’s 340B Program (ASAP 340B). One year later, NACHC has delivered on its promise by working with ASAP 340B and leaders in Congress to craft a legislative solution that sustains 340B for safety net providers and patients.
Highlights of the 340B ACCESS Act include measures that:
- Guarantee Community Health Center patients’ access to low-cost prescriptions by protecting access to contract pharmacy arrangements.
- Codify that the intent of the 340B program is to enable safety-net providers, like health centers, to increase access to affordable drugs and health services for underserved communities.
- Ensure that 340B providers receive the benefits of the program instead of pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs) and other for-profit entities.
- Strengthen transparency and accountability for all stakeholders in the 340B program.
“We applaud Representatives Bucshon, Carter, and Harshbarger for their leadership in developing this critical legislation that delivers a solution to protect the purpose and sustainability of the 340B discount drug program. As the largest primary care network in the nation, Community Health Centers serve 1 in 11 Americans or over 31.5 million patients, 90 percent of whom are low-income and need timely access to affordable life-saving acute and chronic condition medicines,” said Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, President and CEO of NACHC. “Protecting patients’ access to essential medications saves lives and keeps people healthy, including the 41 percent of health center patients who live in rural and frontier communities across our nation. We are grateful the legislation enshrines the important role of contract pharmacies in providing medicines near where patients live and work. We look forward to working with leaders in Congress and ASAP 340B stakeholders to ensure passage of this landmark legislation.”
For over 30 years, the 340B Drug Discount Program has provided critical resources that allow Community Health Centers to deliver affordable and accessible health care services to patients – the vast majority of whom suffer from multiple chronic health conditions. Over 90 percent of health center patients live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and depend on access to affordable life-saving medicines and services made possible through 340B savings – such as dental care, behavioral health, specialty care, interpretation services, food banks, housing support, and co-pay assistance programs.
View full text of the 340B ACCESS Act.
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NACHC is the leading innovative change agent collaborating with affiliates and partners to advance Community Health Centers as the foundation of an equitable health care system free from disparities, and built on accessible, patient-governed, high-quality, integrated primary care.