Reps. David McKinley (R-WV) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) last night introduced H.R. 4392, a bill that would prevent a dramatic reduction in Medicare Part B payments for certain hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released a final rule that reduces by nearly 30%, or $1.6 billion, Medicare payments to certain public and non-profit hospitals for outpatient drugs purchased under the 340B program. “The AHA thanks Representatives McKinley and Thompson for leading this bipartisan effort to protect patient care by preventing CMS from reducing Medicare Part B payments for some 340B hospitals,” said AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels. “For 25 years, the 340B program has been critical in helping hospitals expand access to lifesaving prescription drugs and comprehensive health care to low-income patients and other vulnerable populations in communities across the country.” The AHA, joined by the Association of American Medical Colleges and America's Essential Hospitals, Nov. 13 filed a federal lawsuit to prevent CMS from implementing these cuts.

Related News Articles

Headline
The House Ways and Means Subcommittees on Health and Oversight held a joint hearing today to discuss lessons learned, challenges and opportunities to improve…
Headline
The AHA today expressed support for the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act, a bill that would eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient…
Headline
Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., and Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., today introduced the 340B Patients Act, AHA-supported legislation that would codify 340B providers'…
Headline
The AHA July 16 filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado in defense of the state’s 340B contract pharmacy law prohibiting…
Headline
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri July 11 granted a motion by the state to dismiss claims by AbbVie that the state’s 340B contract…
Headline
The AHA July 8 wrote in opposition to the “Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act” (H.R. 4002), which would repeal current law banning the creation…