340B Drug Pricing Discount Program provides discounted prescription drugs to hospitals serving vulnerable communities
New bipartisan working group will work on solutions to strengthen program
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined Tammy Baldwin, Shelley Moore Capito, Tim Kaine, Jerry Moran, and Markwayne Mullin to announce the new Senate 340B bipartisan working group. The group works on bipartisan solutions to strengthen the 340B Drug Pricing Discount Program, which provides discounted prescription drugs to non-profit health care providers, like community health centers and safety-net hospitals, serving vulnerable communities.
“The 340B program provides lower-cost prescription drugs for millions of Americans and is a lifeline for our community health care providers,” said Hickenlooper. “We’re working together to make the program more transparent and resilient, so it supports those who need it most.”
“The 340B program is crucial in helping ensure that Wisconsinites – especially in rural and hard to reach areas – get the medication and care they need,” said Baldwin. “I am proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to strengthen this program and better ensure all Wisconsin can get the health care they need at a price they can afford.”
“As a long-time member of the Working Group, I welcome our new members and thank our past members for their dedication and work on this important issue,” said Capito. “The 340B program is vital for my state and I look forward to introducing legislation that provides clarity, transparency, and accountability to ensure the program remains strong.”
“I often hear from Virginia health care providers, especially those serving rural areas, about the instrumental role the 340B program plays in ensuring that patients can access the medicines they need,” said Kaine. “That’s why I’ve long appreciated that support for 340B comes from both sides of the aisle, and I’m looking forward to joining this working group so we can make this program even stronger.”
“The 340B program fulfills a critical purpose of keeping costs low for eligible health care providers and the patients they serve,” said Moran. “After making significant progress last year, I am pleased to continue the efforts of the Senate 340B bipartisan working group, and add new members, with the shared goal of increasing transparency and oversight to ensure the long-term viability of this important program. I am grateful for Sen. Thune’s past leadership of this group and look forward to building upon past efforts with this new working group.”
“Together, we’re working to restore integrity and intent to the 340B program,” said Mullin. “I appreciate this working group’s transparent and thoughtful process and look forward to driving results for American families.”
Congress created the 340B program in 1992 to help hospitals and clinics lower the price of prescription drugs. The Senate 340B working group was established to find comprehensive legislative solutions to make sure the program can continue to achieve its intended goal of supporting hospitals serving vulnerable populations like rural communities.
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