340B Drug Pricing Program Contributes to Rising Healthcare Costs and Is Ripe for Reform
The U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee today will host the third hearing in its health care affordability series, specifically examining the role providers and hospitals play in shaping the cost of care for Americans.
While the hearing will likely examine numerous issues, there is none more ripe for reform than the flawed 340B drug pricing program.
Originally enacted to help eligible safety-net providers buy medicines at steep discounts and pass the savings on to lower-income and vulnerable patients, the program has ballooned as a revenue stream for many participating hospitals and contract pharmacy chains.
As the size and complexity of the 340B program has expanded, participating hospitals and contract pharmacies have instead used the program to increase…[more]
Are you enjoying this historic surge in consumer product shortages and inflation, which the White House in its best Marie Antoinette impression labels a “high-class problem?”
Well, get ready, because it’s about to get even worse.
The federal government warned just last week that Americans should expect significantly higher heating bills this winter. Specifically, the Energy Information Administration projects that approximately half of U.S. households that heat with natural gas will pay an average of 30% more this year than last year, which will increase…
