Hat’s off to three Ascension Health hospitals for writing op-eds for their local papers about why 340B is vital to their mission to help vulnerable patients.
In the Aug. 18 edition of the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Seton Healthcare Family CEO Jesús Garza noted that “the 340B law is simple and effective. Allowing Seton and other safety net providers to pay less for high-priced outpatient prescription drugs helps us spread our resources further.”
“Bottom line: Seton Healthcare Family relies on 340B to provide affordable medications to our poor and vulnerable patients,” he concluded. “Rolling back the 340B program will only add to pharmaceutical industry profits while leaving the most vulnerable citizens of Central Texas with reduced access to the medications and quality health care they desperately need – and deserve.” Read the complete article here.
On Aug. 19, Jeff Korsmo, CEO of Via Christi Health, wrote an op-ed for the Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, listing the ways 340B has helped underserved patients. Rolling 340B back, he concluded, “would hurt those who truly need this support, and actually increase the nation’s health care costs.” Read the complete article here.
Finally, on Aug. 20, Dr. Michael Schatzlein, CEO of St. Thomas Health, wrote an op-ed for The Tennessean. “We believe it is our responsibility to ensure that those we serve have access to the prescription medications they need to maintain or improve their health,” he said. “Our mission has always been to serve the most poor and vulnerable of society, to provide health care that truly leaves no one behind.” He then described how 340B helps them fulfill this mission, giving the example of a patient suffering from bipolar disorder who was able to obtain free medications, keeping her out of the hospital. Read the complete article here.
All three essays emphasize 340B’s importance and why rolling it back will hurt the most vulnerable.