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 AHA Oct. 3 responded to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s recent analysis on the financial impacts of Medicare Advantage enrollment growth on…
Headline
The federal government shutdown will continue as the Senate Oct. 3 failed to adopt a government funding deal. The latest attempt to pass the House-passed…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 30 issued a memo, through the Health Plan Management system, finalizing the Medicare Advantage…
Headline
The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island Sept. 30 denied motions from AbbVie and Novartis seeking a preliminary injunction against the state’s…
Headline
The federal government shut down Oct. 1 following a failed Senate vote on the House-passed continuing resolution to fund the government by midnight Sept. 30.…
Headline
The anticipated burdens on hospitals to comply with the Health Resources and Services Administration’s 340B Rebate Pilot Program far exceed the agency’s…