Improving access to care and managing healthcare costs are constant priorities for physicians. For this reason, I’m glad to see Senator Tammy Baldwin’s focus on a bipartisan approach to reforming the 340B prescription drug program, a vital safety-net program that many are not aware of.
While 340B is intended to help lower drug costs for vulnerable patients, the program’s regulations have not kept pace with the evolution of modern healthcare, leading to unintended consequences that don’t always serve the original goal of supporting patients. Instead, the program incentivizes large systems to take advantage of the program’s flaws to drive up prescription medication prices and buy up small and/or independent practices. Ultimately that means we all pay more for medications and have a harder time accessing care.
From my perspective as a family physician, it is crucial that the benefits of this program are directed toward the patients it was created to help. Reforms that increase transparency and accountability are essential. By establishing clear guidelines, we can strengthen the 340B program, making sure the savings it generates directly support patient care and vital health services.
I commend Senator Baldwin for her leadership on this issue and encourage Congress to work together to pass meaningful reforms.
Beth Menzel,
Appleton
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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: LETTERS: Appleton reader commends Sen. Baldwin on goal to reform prescription drug program
Reporting by Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
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