Pulse on Policy: The 340B Drug Program is Broken. Here’s Why It Matters for Black Women’s Health.
When healthcare dollars aren’t reaching the communities that need them most, we all lose. That’s exactly what’s happening with the 340B Drug Pricing Program – a well-intentioned federal program that’s lost its way.
As BWHI and our partner organizations explained in our recent letter to Congress, this program was created to help safety-net providers care for vulnerable communities. But here’s the shocking reality: while the program has grown to $66 billion, nearly 80% of these funds flow to hospitals with no requirements to pass savings on to patients.
What does this mean for Black women? Too often, it means:
- Being sued for medical debt by the very hospitals receiving these discounts
- Traveling far from home because local clinics in our communities have closed
- Paying full price for medications that hospitals got at steep discounts
- Having no idea that we’re even eligible for reduced-cost medications
Here’s what makes this especially frustrating: Some healthcare providers – like community health centers and HIV clinics – are doing it right. They’re required to reinvest these savings into patient care and prove they’re serving their communities. But hospitals? They operate under different rules.
That’s why we’re calling for change. Our letter details specific reforms needed to:
- Make hospitals accountable for how they use these funds
- Ensure savings actually reach patients through affordable medications
- Stop predatory debt collection practices
- Keep facilities open in the communities that need them most
Want to dig deeper? Read our full letter to Congress. It’s time to fix 340B and ensure it serves its original purpose – helping our most vulnerable communities access affordable healthcare.
Stay tuned to “Pulse on Policy” as we continue breaking down complex healthcare policies and their real impact on Black women’s health. Because when we understand the policies affecting our health, we can better advocate for change.
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