Modern Healthcare: Hospitals urge Congress to pass new 340B legislation

“Hospitals on Tuesday urged Congress to pass a newly introduced bill to strengthen the 340B drug discount program.

Under the Stretching Entity Resources for Vulnerable (SERV) Communities Act introduced by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), the HHS secretary must audit 340B providers and drug manufacturers. The bill also would force drug manufacturers to disclose drug pricing information publicly.

Matsui’s bill also would reverse a January cut to 340B hospitals’s Medicare payments for their outpatient drug purchases.

“By holding pharmaceutical manufacturers accountable for their actions and providing pricing transparency to the thousands of safety-net providers that participate in the program, the SERV Communities Act will reduce costs and expand access to needed care,” said Maureen Testoni, interim president and CEO of hospital trade association 340B Health, in a statement.”

Read More: http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20180612/NEWS/180619976