A bill in the Colorado legislature aims to eliminate restrictions imposed by pharmaceutical manufacturers on a program that provides discounted medications to safety-net hospitals and clinics. The 340B program allows these facilities to buy drugs at a lower price and keep the difference, using it to offset uncompensated care costs and support services like addiction treatment. Drug companies argue the program has expanded beyond its original intent and increases healthcare costs by subsidizing hospitals that may not require assistance.
Medical staff perform a 14-year-old patient’s surgery at Denver Health in Denver on Thursday, April 25, 2024. A bill in the Colorado legislature would get rid of drugmakers’ limitations on a program that helps fund safety-net hospitals and clinics through discounts on medication.
The arrangement isn’t controversial when patients get the drugs at pharmacies owned by hospitals or clinics treating large numbers of low-income patients. Sometimes, however, those facilities decide to partner with other pharmacies, so that even when the patient picks up their medication somewhere else, the hospitals or clinics still get some of the discount, though they split the money with the pharmacy.
When drugmakers limit contracts, they reduce patients’ ability to chose where they get their prescriptions, forcing them to take time off work and find transportation to the hospital’s pharmacy, she said. In some cases, hospitals pass on drug savings to patients who can’t afford medication, said Kevin Forbush, 340B program director for. For example, Intermountain hospitals in Colorado used some of their 340B discount funds to lower out-of-pocket costs for at least two cancer patients who were planning to forgo treatment because of the expense, he said.
That arrangement can benefit patients if the pharmacy offers a sliding fee scale to people who can’t afford their full share of a drug’s cost, allowing them to get affordable medications at a convenient location, Conti said. They don’t benefit directly if the pharmacy doesn’t pass on a discount to them, and whether they get an indirect benefit depends on how the hospital or clinic uses its share of the savings, she said.
Healthcare 340B Program Pharmaceutical Companies Hospital Discounts Colorado Legislature
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Colorado Bill Seeks to Give Local Officials Temporary Control of Unsafe Apartment ComplexesA new bill in Colorado aims to empower local authorities to temporarily manage dilapidated apartment complexes in cases where owners neglect repairs. Inspired by ongoing issues with unresponsive landlords, particularly CBZ Management, the legislation would allow cities, counties, and the attorney general's office to petition a judge to place struggling properties under the control of a court-appointed caretaker. This caretaker would utilize rental income to address the property's issues before returning it to the original owner.
Read more »
Colorado lawmakers propose new wage theft bill after 2024 bill vetoed by governorBrandon Richard is a reporter for Denver7 in Denver, Colorado.
Read more »
Utah Bill Seeks to End Daylight Saving TimeA new bill in Utah aims to eliminate the biannual clock changes by adopting standard time permanently.
Read more »
Connecticut Bill Seeks to End Movie Theater Advertising FrustrationA proposed bill in Connecticut aims to require theaters to list both the start time for ads and the actual movie start time.
Read more »
Colorado Women's Basketball Seeks Competitive EdgeThe Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team is looking to regain its winning form after a pair of road losses. Despite the setbacks, the team remains confident but acknowledges the need for a more competitive mindset, both in practice and during games. Coach JR Payne is emphasizing the importance of individual players stepping up and consistently performing at a high level.
Read more »
Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeks public input for Castlewood Canyon State Park management planEthan Carlson joined Denver7 in November 2020. After more than three years as a photographer, he moved into the role of multimedia journalist.
Read more »