Welch introduces 340B PATIENTS Act to lower prescription drug costs for health care providers

VBM

U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today introduced the bicameral 340B Pharmaceutical Access To Invest in Essential, Needed Treatments & Support (PATIENTS) Act, legislation that would protect the 340B drug pricing program and ensure patients—especially those in lower income and rural communities—can continue care with providers who utilize the program. 

For over 30 years, the 340B program has helped safety-net providers like rural community hospitals, critical access hospitals, and community health centers purchase outpatient prescription drugs at reduced prices from drug manufacturers at no cost to the taxpayer. Savings from the 340B program help providers expand critical services such as mental health care, substance-use disorder treatments, and emergency services, to support the most vulnerable patients in their community without the need for additional federal funding.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmaceutical manufacturers began announcing restrictions on the 340B program by limiting the number of pharmacies 340B providers can use to dispense the medications to patients. These restrictions disproportionately impact rural states, which are struggling with a decline in pharmacies. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this year. 

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