340B: A Lifeline for Patients
Illinois hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are united behind 340B. This vital federal program is a lifeline providing affordable medications and essential services to vulnerable patients. Nearly 1,000 Illinoisans called for passage of House Bill 2371 SA2 during a Feb. 1 rally celebrating 340B.
Hospitals and FQHCs are committed to caring for patients in underserved communities. They’re also committed to transparency and support transparency requirements in HB 2371 SA2. Stand with us for 340B—the health of patients and communities is at stake.
patients and providers call for action on 340b
Pressing for action on 340B legislation, patients, providers, community leaders and lawmakers rallied in Chicago on Feb. 1. Their message: 340B is a vital lifeline for low-income and uninsured patients, and the hospitals and health centers caring for them. Their impassioned speeches highlighted the urgency in passing HB 2371, as patients confront difficult decisions to access needed medications and care—or go without. State Rep. Anna Moeller, the bill’s lead sponsor, said “too many Illinois patients are being put at risk by (drugmaker) restrictions that undermine the 340B program.”
Watch the compilation video from 340B Action Day and see photos on IHA’s Facebook page.
Support 340B Legislation
Drugmakers are misleading the public on 340B. The truth about 340 is this: Congress established the program in 1992 and expanded it in 2010 with Big Pharma’s support. In 2020, drugmakers began placing restrictions on 340B hospitals, cutting off patient access to essential healthcare services and needed medications.
underserved Patients need your support
Local hospitals and FQHCs provide free lifesaving health screenings, expanded healthcare services in underserved communities, free transportation to medical appointments, mobile clinics and new freestanding clinics, and more. Hospitals and FQHCs serving many uninsured and low-income patients can offer these services because of 340. Yet drugmaker restrictions on 340B limit patient access to needed care.
Illinois can pass a simple law to protect 340B, patient access to care, and local hospitals and FQHCs. Twenty other states have passed similar laws. Let’s make sure Illinois does too.
Support HB 2371 SA2 - the Illinois Patient Access to 340B Pharmacy Protection Act.
Illinois Hospitals: 340B helps protect care
Carle Health
Since pharmaceutical companies began restricting 340B contract pharmacies, Carle Health has seen its volume of 340B-priced prescriptions dwindle to almost nothing, jeopardizing access to care.
Ferrell Hospital
A 75% drop in federal 340B drug discount savings has forced Ferrell Hospital to considering pulling back on services such as mammography and new offerings, due to drugmaker restrictions.
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields
A vital lifeline for hospitals serving low-income communities, the 340B drug discount program has resulted in savings that Franciscan Health Olympia Fields invested in patient services.
Graham Health System
With savings from the 340B drug discount program, Graham Health System operates three health clinics that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Program restrictions by drugmakers could impact those clinics.
Hammond-Henry Hospital
With funding from the 340B drug discount program, Hammond-Henry Hospital can offer free injury screening, long-term care and more to the community. Those services, though, are at risk.
Memorial Hospital, Chester
In just three years, Memorial Hospital saw a 52% decrease in 340B drug cost savings for hospital patient use and is projecting an 86% decrease for fiscal year 2024 in the contract pharmacy program.
OSF HealthCare
Eleven of OSF HealthCare’s 16 hospitals participate in the 340B drug discount program, designed to help hospitals increase access to care for low-income patients and underserved communities.
Pinckneyville Community Hospital
Located in a city of 5,000 people, Pinckneyville Community Hospital is a lifeline to rural communities. Yet, drug company limits on 340B contract pharmacies are causing big financial concern.
Sinai Chicago
Serving Chicago’s West and Southwest sides, Sinai Chicago has invested 340B drug discount savings to expand healthcare services. The safety net provider says reduced savings will harm its efforts.
Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH)
Serving high-poverty communities, SIH has used savings and revenue from the 340B drug discount program to expand cancer care and access to medication assistance programs.
Sparta Community Hospital
With savings from the 340B drug discount program, Sparta Community Hospital has hired additional clinicians for its rural health clinics, resulting in a 21% increase in patient visits over 10 years.
UW Health
An expected 10% reduction in 340B drug savings would leave UW Health’s Illinois hospitals with $3.5 million less to spend on patient services. Most Illinois system patients lack private insurance.