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Get to Know 340B: Special Order Hour

 
Congress held a 340B special order hour on the House floor yesterday to share information about the importance of the 340B program. Read on to learn more about this key program for health centers and actions to support 340B.
 
Yesterday, Congress held a 340B special order hour on the House floor to share the importance of the 340B Drug Pricing Program to community health centers, safety net hospitals, and Ryan White HIV/AIDs clinics. Tennessee Congressman John Rose co-led the special order hour with Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger from Virginia. During the 340B special order hour, members shared information about the 340B program, how safety net providers like community health centers rely on the program to care for their patients, and efforts to preserve the program.  
 
Watch a recap of the 340B special order hour (beginning at 5:45) >>> 
 
What is the 340B Drug Pricing Program? 
The 340B Drug Pricing Program is a federal program that allows certain providers, including community health centers, certain hospitals, and Ryan White HIV/AIDS clinics to purchase outpatient medications at a discount. Congress established the program in 1992, to ensure eligible providers could “stretch scarce Federal resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services.”1 The 340B statute requires that providers who participate in the program, known as ‘covered entities' invest all savings from the program back into patient care. 
 
How do community health centers use the 340B program? 
The 340B program ensures health centers can provide affordable medication to their patients to help them manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. Beyond access to affordable, life-saving medications, savings from the program allow health centers to invest in comprehensive services to meet the unique needs of their communities. Health centers in Tennessee rely on the program to support services such as behavioral health care, substance use disorder treatment, dental services, OB/GYN care, and pediatrics. 
 
How is the 340B program threatened? 
The 340B program is experiencing significant challenges from third parties, including drug manufacturers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). These third parties are imposing conditions and restrictions that result in health centers losing out on the 340B savings that are intended for their patients.  
 
How You Can Support the 340B Program for Community Health Centers
In response to attacks on the program, on Tuesday, June 14, the National Association of Community Health Centers, and California Primary Care Association are holding a 340B Twitterstorm from 12:30-1:30 PM Eastern to raise awareness about the value of the 340B program and recent threats.

Join advocates across the country on June 14th to preserve and protect the 340B program! 
 
Learn more about 340B Advocacy >>> 
 
 
 

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