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Health centers, patient advocates tell committee 340B restrictions are limiting services
Summary
Representatives on the Michigan House Health Policy Committee heard testimony Wednesday from federally qualified health centers and patient advocates who said manufacturer-imposed 340B contract-pharmacy restrictions and inconsistent reporting rules are shrinking clinic revenues that fund services for low-income patients.
Representatives on the Michigan House Health Policy Committee heard more than two hours of testimony Wednesday on the 340B drug pricing program, with federally qualified health centers and patient advocates warning that manufacturer-imposed restrictions and contract-pharmacy rules are limiting clinics' ability to use program savings to serve low-income patients.
Frank Waters of the Michigan Primary Care Association told the committee that health centers in Michigan operate 400 sites serving about 700,000 residents and use 340B savings to support services not otherwise reimbursed, including dental care, transportation and discounted prescriptions.
"Every dollar stays in the community from the 340B savings program," Waters said, describing the program as a non-tax-funded revenue stream that allows clinics to stretch federal resources.
Leaders from Hackley Community Care in Muskegon and Great Lakes Bay Health Centers in Saginaw and Bay City described how restrictions on contract pharmacies have reduced program benefits. Michael Wieses, CEO of Hackley Community Care, said…
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