29 Aug Lincoln Journal-Star: Local View: Drug discount program strengthens rural health care
In our area, Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh is the only option for health care for 20 miles in all directions. Hospitals and health systems like ours that serve rural communities across America face unprecedented economic challenges.
In the past six years, 76 have closed and many more are squeezed by reduced reimbursements and rising health care costs. We are often not afforded the luxuries of health care in more densely populated settings, and access to care is a critical issue that we have to address in our community.
A little-known federal drug discount program called 340B, established in 1992, helps providers like us generate increased access to care and treat all of our patients, especially our community’s residents with the greatest needs. Unfortunately, special interests are working hard in Washington to undermine the program and limit hospital and patient eligibility.
