The forces arrayed against the 340B program will meet today in Washington for a “leadership summit.” That nearly all the speakers are allies of the pharmaceutical industry should give any responsible journalist or policymaker serious pause. Big Pharma wants to scuttle 340B and is spending huge sums to discredit the program in the media and on Capitol Hill. Why? Because it eats … [Read more...]
New Health Affairs Study Buttresses the Case for Protecting 340B
A new study in the latest issue of Health Affairs helps explain why 340B will continue to be needed after the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented. The study found that, despite health care reform, safety-net hospitals' uncompensated care costs and Medicaid shortfalls will keep rising in California and in the states that do not expand Medicaid. The study examines how … [Read more...]
Study: Medicaid DSH Cuts Threaten Safety-Net Hospitals’ Financial Stability
Uncompensated care costs expected to rise sharply in spite of insurance expansionJune 6, 2014—Despite health care reform, safety-net hospitals' uncompensated care costs and Medicaid shortfalls will keep rising in California and in the states that do not expand Medicaid, a new study in Health Affairs finds.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] The study examines how California's 20 acute-care public hospitals will be affected by reductions in Medicaid … [Read more...]
Big Decisions About 340B Await Burwell
Senate expected to confirm her nomination as HHS Secretary todayJune 5, 2014—Sylvia Mathews Burwell, whose nomination to be the next U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services is expected to be approved today, will have weighty decisions to make about the 340B program soon after taking office. [ms-protect-content id="2799"] The first could come early next month, when the 90-day period ends for White House Office of Management and Budget … [Read more...]
HRSA Plans to Issue Two More 340B Regulations
Rules will apply to AIDS drug assistance programs and hemophilia treatment centersJune 3, 2014—The Health Resources and Services Administration plans in the coming months to issue two more proposed 340B program regulations on top of its comprehensive program rule currently slated for release in July. [ms-protect-content id="2799"] The first of the two new rules, targeted for release in December, will address the extent to which state AIDS drug assistance … [Read more...]
The 340B Program is Not the Cause of Higher Cancer Treatment Costs
The idea that the 340B drug discount program is the cause of rising cancer treatment costs is missing the point. Quality cancer care comes at a price. Now, who is going to pay it? By Holly Russo, RN MSN, MSECS It’s no secret that changes in the healthcare industry have driven oncology patients from private practices to the nation’s safety net hospitals for their care. … [Read more...]
PhRMA Lays Down Markers for 340B Mega-Reg
Calls for program to be limited to "uninsured individuals"May 29, 2014—The nation's major drug companies gave White House officials a 16-page document last week detailing changes they want to see made to the 340B drug discount program in the forthcoming comprehensive 340B regulation. [ms-protect-content id="2799"] Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's proposals would greatly reduce the number of patients eligible … [Read more...]