Essential Hospitals Praise HHS Action to Protect 340B for Underserved Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America's Essential Hospitals

WASHINGTON-Essential hospitals praise the Department of Health and Human Services for its decisive action today to hold drug manufacturers accountable for their unlawful limits on access to 340B Drug Pricing Program discounts.

In letters to manufacturers, HHS makes a clear and forceful statement about the manufacturers' illegal actions. We thank HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Acting Administrator Diana Espinosa, and HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs Director Krista Pedley for protecting access to affordable drugs.

Essential hospitals serve people who face significant social and financial barriers to care, and they depend on 340B savings to meet their safety net mission. The 340B program operates as Congress intended, making affordable drugs available to low-income patients and creating savings hospitals use to reach underserved communities. Essential hospitals extend their reach into these communities by partnering with pharmacies to make 340B drugs more accessible.

We look forward to drug manufacturers' prompt compliance with the HHS letters by restoring full access to 340B savings through contract pharmacies and refunding overcharges made under policies that violate the 340B law.

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About America's Essential Hospitals
'America's Essential Hospitals is the leading champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. We support our more than 300 members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education. Communities depend on essential hospitals to provide specialized, lifesaving services; train the health care workforce; advance public health and health equity; and coordinate care. Essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead the way to more effective and efficient care. Learn more at essentialhospitals.org.

Contact:
Carl Graziano
[email protected]
202.585.0102

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