Communications

(April 25, 2025) – The 340B program has garnered significant attention at both the state and federal levels. Most recently, there have been renewed discussions regarding the 340B bipartisan working group at the federal level. You may recall the stated purpose of the U.S. Senate 340B bipartisan working group is to advance bipartisan policy solutions to make certain the 340B Drug Pricing Program can continue to achieve its intended goal of supporting hospitals and health centers serving vulnerable populations. The Kansas Hospital Association believes the group's goals are well-intentioned, and I had the opportunity to highlight these intentions in a recent opinion editorial in the Kansas City Star and the Wichita Eagle.

The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program has enabled safety net providers, including hospitals and health centers, to purchase medications at a discounted rate. This enables them to stretch their limited resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services in their communities. Hospitals, in turn, utilize the savings from the 340B Drug Pricing Program to provide access to services such as maternity care in rural areas, mental health services and cancer treatment closer to home. In Kansas, more than 90 hospitals, primarily rural, participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

The 340B Drug Pricing Program is crucial for providing health care access to vulnerable Kansans without using taxpayer dollars. Senator Jerry Moran understands this program's significance well from his visits across Kansas to nearly every hospital in the state, where he engages with staff, hospital administrators, patients and board members.

Senator Moran serves on the Senate 340B working group and has devoted years to ensuring health care providers can access the resources needed to care for their patients. Kansas hospitals continue to appreciate Senator Moran's support on crucial health care issues like 340B.

Unfortunately, the original statute creating 340B has been fraught with disagreements, including drug manufacturers limiting access to the program. This, in turn, jeopardizes Kansans' ability to access necessary prescriptions and other vital health services. Without the 340B Drug Pricing Program, many Kansas hospitals would have to drastically reduce or discontinue health care services offered in their communities. Maintaining the integrity of the 340B Drug Pricing Program ensures access to essential care and affordable medications for our most vulnerable citizens, particularly those residing in rural Kansas. If the challenges facing 340B are left unaddressed, negative impacts will continue to be felt across our state.

Senator Moran and his bipartisan colleagues established the 340B Working Group to provide clarity to the program, ensuring its sustainability. Protecting the 340B Drug Pricing Program is critical to the health of our state, workforce and economy. We appreciate Senator Moran's leadership on this important program.
--Chad Austin