Federal drug pricing program needs reform

To the Editor;

Maine’s hospitals, community health centers, and rural clinics depend on the 340B Drug Pricing Program to help deliver care to patients who might otherwise go without. As the program has expanded over time, it’s fair to ask whether the savings are consistently benefiting patients or being used elsewhere.

A recent Congressional Budget Office report found that 340B drug purchases surged from $6.6 billion in 2010 to nearly $44 billion in 2021. That’s a dramatic increase. Meanwhile, the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchasers estimates that this growth is linked to more than $36 billion in additional annual costs for employer-sponsored health coverage. For Maine, where small businesses make up over half of all employers, these rising costs hit especially hard.

At a recent Senate hearing, Sen. Susan Collins called for practical reforms to restore confidence in the 340B program. She stressed the need to preserve support for Maine’s hospitals while demanding greater transparency and accountability. That kind of leadership is essential to protect both patients and taxpayers.

Thoughtful reform can strengthen the 340B program by ensuring that savings are used as intended to improve patient access to care. Collins’s bipartisan approach offers a clear path forward. Maine should be proud to have a senator working to safeguard an issue that directly affects our hospitals, pharmacies, and families.

Nancy Seavey

Dover-Foxcroft