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Burrillville council adopts resolution backing 340B prescription access reforms to aid community health centers
Summary
The Town Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting legislative measures to protect 340B drug discounts after testimony from a WellOne board member describing lost revenue and potential service cuts at local federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).
Council backs action to protect 340B revenue stream for local FQHCs
The Burrillville Town Council on April 9 adopted a resolution urging state lawmakers to support legislation protecting pharmacy access under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, citing testimony that changes by drug manufacturers have reduced discounts to community health centers.
Why it matters: Local federally qualified health centers rely on 340B discounts to fund low‑cost prescription programs and help sustain services for uninsured and low‑income residents. Councilors were told cuts could lead to layoffs and service reductions.
Peggy Dudley, who said she serves on the WellOne board, described a decline in 340B revenue and urged the council to adopt a proposed resolution. Dudley said the 340B program "was started in 1992 by Congress" and that recent manufacturer restrictions have limited pharmacy choice and revenue for health centers. She told the council, "I'm asking you to please support these two bills."
Dudley said WellOne expected roughly $3.8 million from 340B for the current fiscal year but that the program was unlikely to produce anywhere near that amount due to manufacturer restrictions. She warned the loss of revenue could lead to layoffs and reductions in patient services at health centers that serve Pascoag, Foster, Scituate and North Kingstown.
Action taken: The council adopted the resolution as presented; the vice president made the motion and a second was recorded and the motion passed by voice vote. Councilors directed staff to forward the resolution to the town's legislative delegation and to other municipalities.
Next steps: The resolution will be forwarded to state legislators and other municipalities; Dudley said she planned to attend a Statehouse hearing on the topic.
