Fate Of 340B Drug Discount Program In Spending Bill Pits Hospitals, Pharma
The 340B program requires drugmakers to offer discounts on medicines sold to safety-net hospitals. Earlier this year, the Trump administration slashed funding for the program, and hospitals want it restored in Congress' year-end spending bill. Meanwhile, California will be one of the hardest states hit if the program isn't funded.
Stat:
Hospital And Pharma Lobbyists Spar Over Drug-Discount Program Before Time Runs Out
Hospital and pharmaceutical industry lobbyists are facing off as lawmakers scramble to finalize a year-end spending deal that could include changes to the controversial 340B program. Hospitals want Congress to use the package to reverse a $1.6 billion cut to the program that the Trump administration finalized this fall, and which is set to take effect Jan. 1. Drugmakers don’t. And if the package does end or delay the cut, they want hospitals to disclose far more information about the discounts they get under the program, according to a half dozen lobbyists from both industries and several congressional staffers. (Mershon, 12/14)
Modern Healthcare:
California, North Carolina And New York Hit Hardest By 340B Cuts
The CMS' planned $1.6 billion in Medicare cuts to 340B hospitals across the nation will disproportionately impact providers in California, North Carolina and New York, according to a new study. Slashing the 340B drug discount program, which is intended to lower operating costs for hospitals to give its low-income patients access to drugs, would result in large funding cuts across California, North Carolina and New York hospitals, ranging from $62 million to $126 million, researchers for consultancy Avalere found. Overall, six states will see drug payment cuts of more than $50 million next year. (Kacik, 12/13)