Rejecting problematic legislation is considered better than passing a bad law. The leadership of Kentucky's House of Representatives has stood firm against a proposed expansion of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, which is said to have escalating costs.
The 340B Program aims to help safety-net hospitals provide low-income patients better access to affordable medications, but it has evolved significantly since its inception in 1992. Kentucky hospital leaders sought an expansion beyond federal allowances, aware of the rising costs associated with the program.
Support exists for healthcare providers, yet there is a strong call for accountability and transparency in the 340B program's finances within Kentucky. The increasing healthcare costs are a substantial challenge for employers and families nationwide.
The 340B Program is a source of major hospital revenue, raising concerns about its management. The program expanded 129% from 2018 to 2023 to reach $124 billion in sales.
Leadership from House Speaker David Osborne, his majority colleagues, and Kim Moser, Chair of the House Health Services Committee, have been lauded for their insistence on understanding the program's financial impact before proceeding with expansion. Moser's transparency bill, designed to provide more accountability, did not pass but initiated more discussions about oversight.
Kentucky Congressman Brett Guthrie and Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy are active in advocating for transparency and accountability reforms at a federal level, potentially impacting the 340B program's future.
There is growing momentum for reforming the 340B Program to bring it back in line with its original purpose.