MVHC joins fight to preserve drug pricing program that benefits patients
Muskingum Valley Health Centers (MVHC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in southeast Ohio serving residents of Coshocton, Guernsey, Morgan and Muskingum counties. MVHC is a critical primary care resource to the region that serves numerous vulnerable populations that would otherwise not have access to on-going primary care. As an FQHC, MVHC relies on the 340B Drug Pricing Program to provide patients with affordable medications. The savings the 340B program creates is used to support key patient programs at MVHC.
Recently, pharmaceutical manufacturers have launched broadside attacks that will dismantle the program and force patients to pay higher costs and reduce access to prescriptions and valuable patient programs. Unfortunately, this attack comes at a time when health centers are serving on the front line in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC), Community Health Centers are eligible for the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. Established in 1992 by Congress, the 340B Drug Pricing Program provides certain safety net providers, referred to as covered entities, access to prescription drugs at reduced prices. Drug Manufacturers participating in Medicaid/Medicare are required to provide outpatient drugs to 340B covered entities at significantly reduced prices. When creating the program in 1992, Congress stated it intended eligible safety net providers to use the savings to “to stretch scarce federal resources as far as possible, reaching eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services.”
MVHC utilizes the savings created by the 340B program to provide crucial and impactful services and programs to patients. Below are few examples of how savings is utilized by MVHC:
- Patient medication discount program for uninsured and underinsured.
- Patient transportation program that helps reduce one of the largest barriers to patients receiving primary care access.
- A comprehensive dental program that provides preventive and restorative care to populations who otherwise would not have access locally.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment program for patients with substance abuse disorder. The program includes counseling services as well as intensive care management.
- Extended hours to provide patients access during non-traditional office hours. This minimizes the utilization of emergency room services for non-urgent care needs outside of traditional hours.
- Care coordination program that highlights efforts around high-risk populations and high cost chronic conditions to minimize the financial burden to insurers while promoting health and wellness for the patient
- Social Determinants of Health program supported by a team of licensed social workers to support patients struggling with areas such as nutrition, safety, housing and other important social issues.
- Patient support programs including patient wellness, group-based care for chronic conditions, medical legal services and many other key programs that help ensure our patients can achieve the highest level of wellness possible.
Currently, there is pending legislation in both the State of Ohio House of Representatives and Senate that would prohibit the predatory practice of imposing fees and/or reducing reimbursement to Ohio 340B providers. This bill protects the intent of the 340B Program by ensuring these savings are directed to our most vulnerable – the patients of Muskingum Valley Health Centers.
Without the 340B program, the local MVHC service area could face dire consequences including higher drug prices and decreased access. The 340B program is a lifeline for many patients, and access to affordable prescription drugs should not be compromised.
Category: Business
