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Published: Tuesday, 06 May 2025 13:18

Written by 340B Editor

Our first AI podcast discusses President Trump issued a healthcare executive order which calls for... 

HHS to propose a rule within 90 days to require Community Health Centers to offer insulin and injectable epinephrine, such as EpiPens, at or below the 340B price to low-income patients who are uninsured or face significant costs. Health Centers that do not comply could lose eligibility for future federal grants.

Covered entity subscribers to 340B Price Guide are already ahead of the curve as they have a notable process for extending discounted pricing to many other medication classes, not only insulin products.

If you have any questions about using the 340B Price Guide to help get low-cost 340B meds to your patients or just need a refresher on how to use it, let me know. I'll be happy to schedule a time with you.

Below is Section 7 from yesterday's executive order:

Lowering Drug Prices – The White House

Sec. 7. Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications. Within 90 days of the date of this order, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the Secretary shall take action to ensure future grants available under section 330(e) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 254b(e), are conditioned upon health centers establishing practices to make insulin and injectable epinephrine available at or below the discounted price paid by the health center grantee or sub-grantee under the 340B Prescription Drug Program (plus a minimal administration fee) to individuals with low incomes, as determined by the Secretary, who:

(a) have a high cost-sharing requirement for either insulin or injectable epinephrine;

(b) have a high unmet deductible; or

(c) have no healthcare insurance.

The order directs HHS to require community health centers to offer insulin and EpiPens at 340B prices to low-income patients, a move opposed by health centers due to potential administrative burdens. Advocates for Community Health and the National Association of Community Health Centers expressed concerns about the rule's impact on their ability to provide affordable care.    

Additionally, the order instructs HHS to survey hospital drug acquisition costs and consider aligning Medicare payments, potentially affecting 340B hospitals. It also calls for exploring site-neutral payments in Medicare, which hospitals fear would harm rural and safety-net providers. The American Hospital Association and America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concerns about potential payment cuts and the impact on 340B hospitals.