Senators have outline for drug price program, but vote is elusive

Lawmakers impatient with the lack of progress on a key health care issue — the long-debated need for changes to what’s known as the 340B drug pricing program — say they are closing in on legislation aimed at what they say are abuses in the program.

The program, established in 1992, requires drug companies to sell deeply discounted drugs to community health centers and hospitals that serve high numbers of low-income patients. These 340B providers spent $66 billion on discounted drugs in 2023.

During a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing last week, senators of both parties discussed potential improvements to the program, which has raised costs for drug companies amid questions about whether it is meeting its designed purpose of serving low-income communities.

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