AHA comments on Cassidy 340B discussion draft legislation

The AHA Aug. 25 submitted comments to Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., on the 340B Drug Pricing Integrity and Affordability for Patients Act (340B for Patients Act), a legislative discussion draft that would make significant changes to the current structure and scope of the 340B program.

“While we share your goals of strengthening program integrity, improving accountability and ensuring that patients have access to medications they need, we are concerned that the discussion draft would not achieve those goals and could instead weaken the ability of 340B hospitals to serve their patients and communities,” the AHA wrote.

In its letter, the AHA said, “Hospitals support reasonable, workable reforms that protect the 340B program for the patients and communities it was designed to serve. However, the current discussion draft would fundamentally alter the operation of the program, impose substantial new administrative and financial burdens on hospitals, and reduce patients’ access to medications and essential healthcare services.”

Specifically, the AHA urged Cassidy to preserve the upfront discount model, replace arbitrary access restrictions with patient-centered standards, revise the child site and patient definitions, develop proportionate reporting requirements, and establish balanced accountability for both covered entities and manufacturers.