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Get to Know 340B: Health Outcomes

 
Health centers rely on the 340B drug pricing program to provide patients with affordable medications and comprehensive services. Read on to learn more about how the program impacts health outcomes:
 
The federal 340B drug pricing program allows health centers to purchase outpatient medications at a discount and invest the savings into patient care. Savings from the 340B program ensure health centers can provide affordable medications and comprehensive services to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.  
 
How does the 340B program improve health outcomes? 
According to a report from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), nearly one-third of health centers report that without the 340B program, more than half of their patients would go without needed medications.1 Ultimately, at least 3 million patients could lose access to key medications without support from the program.2 Reliable access to affordable medications helps patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and behavioral health.3 Eighty-nine percent of health centers report the 340B program has improved medication adherence among their patients.4
 
Access to affordable medications is only one aspect of care the 340B program supports at community health centers. Eighty-six percent of health centers report that the program expands access to care and clinical outcomes.5 Health centers rely on the program to support non-reimbursable services and providers (87%), care coordination and enabling services to address non-medical needs (69%), and support workforce and staffing (66%).
 
When a patient visits a health center, they can receive affordable medications alongside services such as health education, clinical pharmacy to assist with medication management, access to nutritious foods on site or through food bank partnerships, and behavioral health care to address underlying mental health conditions.6 Combining critical medications with comprehensive services gives patients the resources and tools they need to make sustainable changes and improve their health. 
 
How does the 340B program affect the health care system? 
The effects on access and clinical outcomes extend beyond health centers to impact the health care system. When patients can receive the care they need at community health centers, it keeps them from needing more intensive and costly care. Roughly half (49%) of community health center report the 340B program has reduced emergency department visits and 35% report it has reduced hospital readmissions.7  
 
What can you do to support 340B? 
The 340B program is critical to ensuring health center patients can access the medications and services they need to improve their health and well-being.

Please reach out to your Members of Congress and urge them to support the 340B program.  
 
 
 
[1] National Association of Community Health Centers. (2022). 340B: A Critical Program for Health Centers. Retrieved from https://www.nachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/NACHC-340B-Health-Center-Report_-June-2022-.pdf
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
 
 
 

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