Senators call for preventing 340B cuts in year-end package

A bipartisan group of six senators yesterday urged Senate leadership to include in a year-end package, legislation that would prevent a dramatic reduction in Medicare Part B payments for certain hospitals that participate in the 340B drug savings program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last month finalized a 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. “As talks continue on end of the year packages, we urge you to work with us to prevent these cuts,” the senators wrote to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Rob Portman (R-OH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) signed the letter. Reps. David McKinley (R-WV) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) have introduced H.R. 4392, a bill that would prevent the cuts to the 340B program from being implemented.