340B Helps Lurie Children's Hospital Care for Vulnerable Children
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago treats over 400 patients with neuromuscular disorders. About 60% of these children come from low-income families covered by Medicaid who couldn’t afford gene therapy medications without 340B. Kristen Alianello, Lurie Children’s neuromuscular nurse coordinator, urges legislators to pass HB 2371 SA 2 to protect the 340B program in Illinois. "Children with [spinal muscular atrophy] are fighting every day to walk, talk, and breathe,” she said. “They should not have to also fight for continued access to these life-saving treatments.
'why risk it'? 340B bill Helps patients at sinai chicago
Mount Sinai Hospital, a Level I trauma center serving Chicago’s West and Southwest sides, cares for patients facing high rates of chronic disease and barriers to affordable care. Through the 340B program, the hospital helps bridge critical gaps for low-income and uninsured patients, expanding access to medications and essential support services.
“Last year alone, we helped nearly a thousand uninsured patients gain access to medications they otherwise would not have been able to afford,” said Sameer Shah, President of Mount Sinai Hospital.
Shah stressed that preserving access to care for vulnerable patients depends on strong legislative support, urging lawmakers to pass HB 2371 SA 2. "When patients can access care and medications consistently, they stay healthier and avoid more serious complications. Protecting the 340B program helps protect care for community and safety-net hospitals every day."
patients and providers call for action on 340b
Pressing for action on 340B legislation, patients, providers, community leaders and lawmakers rallied in support of HB 2371 SA2 on Feb. 1 and March 1. Their message: 340B is a vital lifeline for low-income and uninsured patients—and the hospitals and health centers caring for them. Their impassioned speeches highlighted the urgency in passing HB 2371 SA 2, as drugmakers make it harder for patients to access affordable medications and for hospitals and FQHCs to invest in needed healthcare services.
“Too many Illinois patients are being put at risk by restrictions that undermine the 340B program. The 340B program is one of the most important tools we have to keep medications affordable for low-income patients, seniors and patients with chronic conditions,” said State Rep. Anna Moeller, the bill’s lead sponsor. Watch the video of the February 340B Action Day and see photos on IHA’s Facebook page.
Support 340B Legislation
Drugmakers are misleading the public on 340B. The truth about 340 is this: Congress established the program in 1992 and expanded it in 2010 with Big Pharma’s support. In 2020, drugmakers began placing restrictions on 340B hospitals, cutting off patient access to essential healthcare services and needed medications.
underserved Patients need your support
Local hospitals and FQHCs provide free lifesaving health screenings, expanded healthcare services in underserved communities, free transportation to medical appointments, mobile clinics and new freestanding clinics, and more. Hospitals and FQHCs serving many uninsured and low-income patients can offer these services because of 340. Yet drugmaker restrictions on 340B limit patient access to needed care.
Illinois can pass a simple law to protect 340B, patient access to care, and local hospitals and FQHCs. Twenty other states have passed similar laws. Let’s make sure Illinois does too.
Support HB 2371 SA2 - the Illinois Patient Access to 340B Pharmacy Protection Act.
Illinois Hospitals: 340B helps protect care
Carle Health
Since pharmaceutical companies began restricting 340B contract pharmacies, Carle Health has seen its volume of 340B-priced prescriptions dwindle to almost nothing, jeopardizing access to care.
Ferrell Hospital
A 75% drop in federal 340B drug discount savings has forced Ferrell Hospital to considering pulling back on services such as mammography and new offerings, due to drugmaker restrictions.
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields
A vital lifeline for hospitals serving low-income communities, the 340B drug discount program has resulted in savings that Franciscan Health Olympia Fields invested in patient services.
Graham Health System
With savings from the 340B drug discount program, Graham Health System operates three health clinics that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Program restrictions by drugmakers could impact those clinics.
Hammond-Henry Hospital
With funding from the 340B drug discount program, Hammond-Henry Hospital can offer free injury screening, long-term care and more to the community. Those services, though, are at risk.
Memorial Hospital, Chester
In just three years, Memorial Hospital saw a 52% decrease in 340B drug cost savings for hospital patient use and is projecting an 86% decrease for fiscal year 2024 in the contract pharmacy program.
OSF HealthCare
Eleven of OSF HealthCare’s 16 hospitals participate in the 340B drug discount program, designed to help hospitals increase access to care for low-income patients and underserved communities.
Pinckneyville Community Hospital
Located in a city of 5,000 people, Pinckneyville Community Hospital is a lifeline to rural communities. Yet, drug company limits on 340B contract pharmacies are causing big financial concern.
Sinai Chicago
Serving Chicago’s West and Southwest sides, Sinai Chicago has invested 340B drug discount savings to expand healthcare services. The safety net provider says reduced savings will harm its efforts.
Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH)
Serving high-poverty communities, SIH has used savings and revenue from the 340B drug discount program to expand cancer care and access to medication assistance programs.
Sparta Community Hospital
With savings from the 340B drug discount program, Sparta Community Hospital has hired additional clinicians for its rural health clinics, resulting in a 21% increase in patient visits over 10 years.
UW Health
An expected 10% reduction in 340B drug savings would leave UW Health’s Illinois hospitals with $3.5 million less to spend on patient services. Most Illinois system patients lack private insurance.