Michigan Shouldn’t Lock In 340B’s Flaws as Employer Health Costs Rise

The 340B Drug Pricing Program has evolved far beyond its original intent to help hospitals serve vulnerable patients. Today, it is an $81 billion program operating with limited transparency and little oversight into how those dollars are used, raising growing concerns among employers and taxpayers.

Bret Jackso, with the Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition explains in Crain’s Detroit Business how legislation being considered in the state would further limit 340B transparency, benefitting large hospital systems and increasing healthcare costs.

Crain’s Detroit Business: Michigan employers would suffer under uncontrolled growth of drug-purchase program

“…state legislators are proposing changes to a federal drug discount program that would make it even harder for businesses, unions, working families, and patients in Michigan to afford healthcare.”

“…340B materially increases employer-sponsored premiums, and increases overall healthcare system costs across the country. Legislation under consideration in Michigan would further limit transparency and accountability in 340B, which would benefit large hospital systems and increase healthcare costs for patients already struggling.”

“The Michigan Legislature should reject HB 4878 and SB 94, which would lock in a lack of transparency in the 340B program and foreclose the opportunity to make it a more effective and accountable program.”

You can read the full article HERE.