340B Helps Protect Care in Communities
The federal 340B program has been critical to expanding access to essential healthcare services and lifesaving medications. Pharmaceutical company restrictions on 340B limit patient access to needed care and medications. Passing House Bill 2371 will allow hospitals to provide the quality care patients in Illinois’ most vulnerable communities deserve.
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.
Drug Prices are Rising
Drug cost increase from 2020 to 2025
Illinois Hospitals: Caring for Communities
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.