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House asks Health Department to study use of federal 340B drug program for Medicaid
Summary
House Bill 74 asks the Department of Health to study how Utah can better use the federal 340B drug-pricing program for targeted Medicaid populations; sponsor cited a prior initiative that saved about $2 million and the bill passed 66–3.
Representative David Litvak presented House Bill 74, which would direct the Department of Health to study the feasibility of expanding use of the federal 340B drug-pricing program for certain Medicaid populations. Litvak described 340B as a federal program that provides discounted drug prices to qualified health-care institutions and said a prior targeted program for hemophilia patients produced meaningful savings for the Department.
During questions, Representative Weimer asked whether the bill expands Medicaid eligibility; Litvak clarified it does not expand eligibility but would change how existing Medicaid prescriptions are procured for eligible patients through qualified health centers and emphasize the medical-home model needed for 340B eligibility.
Litvak noted that in FY2007 the Department of Health saved "a little over $2,000,000" in drug costs for the hemophilia segment and framed HB74 as a feasibility study with reporting requirements to interim committees before any broader implementation.
After brief discussion and no further lights, the House voted; Speaker announced House Bill 74 "having received 66 yes votes, 3 no votes, passes this body and will be referred to the Senate for further consideration."
