NE Washington News

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing titled “Oversight of 340B Drug Pricing Program.”

“This hearing is an opportunity for us to evaluate recent trends and developments in the health care system that impact the 340B Drug Discount Program.

“The 340B Program was created by Congress to ‘enable covered entities to stretch scarce federal resources to reach more eligible patients and provide more comprehensive services.’

“It's a worthy goal and a seemingly straightforward one.

“For community health centers, high disproportionate share hospitals, and rural providers, savings from the 340B Program are critical.

“In some cases, savings from the 340B Program are helping keep the lights on at what may be the only hospital in a rural community, and those cases reflect the spirit and intent of the law to ensure essential services for our most vulnerable communities.”

UNCLEAR BENEFITS FOR VULNERABLE PATIENTS

“With that said, I worry that the program is being co-opted by larger, more profitable health care systems that are using it solely for financial gain at the expense of the patients that need it most.

“We have talked a lot in this Committee about addressing the impacts that high health care costs have on patients, employers, and taxpayers, and how we need to work to create a simpler and more transparent health care system.

“Every single one of us pays for the high cost of health care, whether that’s at the doctor’s office, through our insurance premiums, or in taxes that cover the ever-increasing costs of Medicare and Medicaid.

“Something that’s become increasingly clear is that the 340B Program is distorting markets and behaviors in our health care systems that are increasing costs for all of us.

“In multiple studies, researchers found that the 340B Program was associated with a nearly 25 percent reduction in prescribing biosimilars and other lower-cost drugs in favor of more expensive brand name alternatives so that hospitals could pursue larger savings from the program, even though patients’ out-of-pocket costs are not tied to any of the savings that the hospital may receive.

“Additionally, The New England Journal of Medicine found that the program further incentivizes hospital systems to acquire independent oncology practices so they can expand their 340B footprint.

“Some will argue that hospitals reinvest these savings in ways consistent with the intent of the program, but there’s little evidence to prove this.”

INCREASING ACCESS TO CARE

“This Committee has focused so much effort over the past two years on increasing transparency in health care, tackling incentives in the prescription drug market that push up health care costs for Americans, and addressing site neutrality and other reforms that are driving consolidation.

“It should be a bipartisan goal for every member on this Committee to apply these same principles to the 340B Program as well.

“Let me reaffirm once more that I support this program in its original intent and mission.

“Last year, we heard from Pullman Regional Hospital in my district about how valuable they find it along with other hospitals across America.

“We’ve also heard testimony supporting increased transparency for this initiative so we can understand how covered entities use it.

“If we are serious about lowering healthcare costs for Americans then we must also take a critical look at ensuring it achieves its intended mission.”

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