Senate committee hears H.266 to protect 340B program, add hospital reporting

Representative Provecco introduced H.266 to the Senate Health & Welfare Committee on March 26, describing the bill as a measure ‘‘to protect the 340B drug pricing program’’ and to introduce transparency and reporting requirements for participating hospitals and health centers.

Representative Provecco told the committee the bill aims to preserve savings that federally eligible providers use to support care for uninsured and underinsured Vermonters. ‘‘340B is intended to allow certain hospitals and health centers that serve vulnerable populations to purchase outpatient prescriptions at significantly reduced prices,’’ Provecco said, adding that the program’s savings are ‘‘critical’’ to the financial stability of FQHCs and several Vermont hospitals and that recent manufacturer practices have reduced contract-pharmacy benefits.

Jen Harvey, legislative counsel, summarized the bill’s legal mechanics. The draft adds a new subchapter to Vermont’s prescription drug cost-containment chapter and…