Why 340B Matters to South Dakota

Why 340B Matters to South Dakota

Local Hospitals Could Lose Millions in Savings

“Our hospital, patients and community depend on the 340B program. It has a proven track record of expanding access to medical services for some of our most vulnerable patients.” – St. Michael’s Hospital

Today, the 340B Matters coalition launched efforts in South Dakota to help educate the public, lawmakers, and healthcare providers about the negative impact the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) proposed “mega-guidance” restrictions could have on patients and communities across the state.  

The consequences of the proposed restrictions would adversely affect the ability of healthcare providers in South Dakota, especially those in rural areas, to care for their patients and cost taxpayers as a result. 

The 340B Matters coalition urges South Dakota voters to contact their elected representatives and tell them what’s at stake:

Congresswoman Kristi Noem

Contact: http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/office-locations

Senator Mike Rounds

Contact: http://www.rounds.senate.gov/contact

Senator John Thune

https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

***NOTE: The below information is derived from public comments filed on regulations.gov in response to HRSA’s proposed mega-guidance. Use here does not imply any affiliation with 340B Matters or endorsement from the entities themselves.     

“It is a long standing tradition that we are proud of at Avera St. Benedict Health Center, that our patients can get quality care close to home.  The ability to get that care close to home, family and community, is a great benefit to the patient, their family and their positive outcomes.  This significant decrease in 340B program benefit that would occur by enacting those provisions could cause irreparable harm to our frontier CAH.  – St. Benedict Health Center

“Without the 340B program, this small hospital would have to scale back its programs that benefit patients, particularly the low-income, uninsured, and underinsured.” – Spearfish Regional Hospital

“Maintaining the 340B program as is, is critical to our facility providing the level of health care and access Sioux Falls residents need.” – McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

“If this practice were no longer allowed as the Omnibus notice suggests by excluding follow-up care, not allowing infusion only services, and requiring our site to be able to bill on behalf of the referring specialist (which we couldn’t do), our annual program benefit would be reduced by $350,000.00.” –Sacred Heart Hospital

“With the next healthcare facility more than 40 miles away, this hospital, along with its clinics and ER, provides care to the surrounding rural community. It maintains an open-door policy to provide medically necessary care to all individuals in this area, regardless of the individual’s ability to pay. With its 340B savings, which amounted to over $110,000 in fiscal year 2015, Custer Regional Hospital is able to advance this community-focused mission.” – Custer Regional Hospital

PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM SOUTH DAKOTA

Please contact Hans Klingler at hans@340bmatters.org if you have any questions.