Dr. Bucshon and Rep. Scott Peters Introduce Bipartisan Legislation, 340B Protecting Access for the Underserved and Safety-Net Entities Act

Statement

Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) released the following statement after introducing 340B Protecting Access for the Underserved and Safety-Net Entities Act(340B PAUSE Act) (H.R. 4710), a bipartisan bill, with Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) to address growing concerns with the 340B drug discount program:

"The 340B program is an important tool that helps hospitals and other covered entities meet the healthcare needs of patients. Over the past decade, the program has grown substantially and has operated with little transparency or oversight. Given the tremendous growth in the program, Congress needs to ensure this program is operating as intended. The 340B PAUSE Act temporarily pauses new enrollment of Disproportionate Share Hospitals into the 340B discount drug program and requires basic data reporting - similar to the data reporting required of other 340B participants. I want to ensure the program continues to be viable long-term, and that hospitals are adequately serving low-income and uninsured patients. A temporary pause on further expansion, combined with reporting, will provide additional information to complement work the House Energy and Commerce Committee has already begun."- Dr. Bucshon

Note: Critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals, and rural referral centers would not be affected.

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