“The 340B program has been critical to enabling our small hospital provide these critically needed services in the poorest and most remote region of Vermont.” – North Country Hospital
Today, the 340B Matters coalition launched efforts in Vermont 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 Vermont, especially those in rural areas, to care for their patients and cost taxpayers as a result.
The 340B Matters coalition urges Vermont voters to contact their elected representatives and tell them what’s at stake:
Congressman Peter Welch
Contact: https://welch.house.gov/contact
Senator Patrick Leahy
Contact: http://www.leahyforvermont.com/contact
Senator Bernie Sanders
Contact: http://www.sanders.senate.gov/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.
“The UVM Medical Center has been a participant in the 340B for many years, which has saved our institution millions of dollars in expenses. Those savings have allowed us to offer low-cost and free programs that benefit our patients as well as to reinvest in community-based services (like housing and food programs) with whom we collaborate on our mission of improving the health of the communities we serve.” – The University of Vermont Medical Center
“We are extremely concerned about the harmful effect this proposal would have on our patients’ access to care. Copley is a Critical Access Hospital in a rural county in Vermont, many of our community’s patients would have to travel a minimum of 46 miles to get to other institutions to receive needed infusions, such as long-term IV antibiotics. We currently have a patient who lives 4 miles from the hospital with a severe lung infection for which she will require 3 months of daily IV antibiotics. She was diagnosed at a hospital 50 miles away, because they have an Infectious Disease specialist there. However, it was felt that she is too ill to travel there daily and so her local PCP (with privileges here) has written orders for her to come to Copley for these meds. She is a 340b eligible patient under the current definition and so is able to benefit from a nearby, lower cost service.” – Copley Hospital
“Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center takes advantage oft he current 340B program to better serve our community. As the sole provider in our community, we are the safety net and serve all those who seek services and care, regardless of payer status. Caring for a small community in a small state with an aging population, you can imagine the financial challenges we face.” – Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center
“We are extremely concerned about the harmful effect this proposal would have on our patients’ access to care. We are on the verge of opening our community’s first local Infusion Clinic; offering local access to necessary services now located 40-60 miles away. This proposed change would make it much more difficult to provide these services to our community.” – Porter Hospital
To learn more about the issue visit our website: https://340bmatters.org/
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