Month: November 2021

News Alert: U.S. Supreme Court Justices Question CMS’s Legal Basis for Slashing 340B Hospitals’ Drug Reimbursement

November 30, 2021 Tom Mirga Editor at Large Views

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments today about the legality of the nearly 30% Medicare Part B drug payment cut for 340B hospitals.

Several U.S. Supreme Court justices asked during a hearing today whether the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had statutory authority to single out 340B hospitals for a nearly 30% cut in Medicare Part B drug reimbursement beginning in

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340B Providers Take Center Stage Before U.S. Supreme Court Today

November 30, 2021 Tom Mirga Editor at Large Views

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments this morning in a lawsuit challenging CMS's nearly 30% cut in 340B hospitals' drug reimbursement.

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments this morning in a lawsuit challenging the nearly 30% cut since 2018 in what Medicare Part B pays hospitals for 340B-purchased physician administered drugs.

Arguments in American Hospital Association v. Becerra are due

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Clovis Oncology Reverses Decision to Use Kalderos’ 340B Pricing-as-Rebate System

November 30, 2021 Tom Mirga Editor at Large Views

Clovis Oncology has decided for now not to implement Kalderos’ 340B Pay service to pay 340B ceiling prices as rebates instead of as discounts.

Drug manufacturer Clovis Oncology has decided for now not to implement drug discount management company Kalderos’ 340B Pay service to let drug companies pay 340B ceiling prices as back-end rebates instead of as front-end discounts, Kalderos said late yesterday.

“We

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U.S. House GOP Conference Chair Stefanik Backs Protecting 340B Hospitals from Losing Eligibility During Pandemic

November 30, 2021 Tom Mirga Editor at Large Views

U.S. House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) is backing a bill to protect hospitals from losing their 340B eligibility due to pandemic-related changes in patient and payer mix.

Elise Stefanik, the third highest-ranking Republican in the U.S. House, is backing a bill to protect hospitals from losing their 340B eligibility due to pandemic-related changes in patient and payer mix.

Stefanik (R-N.Y.) announced her co-sponsorship of Reps. Doris

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Peter Welch, Long-Time 340B Advocate in the U.S. House, Announces Run for Senate

November 30, 2021 Tom Mirga Editor at Large Views

U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a long-time 340B advocate, is running for the U.S. Senate next year.

U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), who has backed 340B covered entities in several policy battles, is running to succeed his fellow Democrat Patrick Leahy in the U.S. Senate.

Senate President Pro Tempore Leahy, 81, announced on Nov. 15 that he

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UCB Becomes Ninth Drug Manufacturer to Announce 340B Contract Pharmacy Limits

November 23, 2021 Tom Mirga Editor at Large Views

Belgian-based UCB is the ninth drug company to impose limits on 340B pricing involving contract pharmacies.

Belgian-based pharmaceutical manufacturer UCB this morning became the ninth drug company to impose limits on 340B pricing involving contract pharmacies.

Hospitals reported getting letters and an FAQ from UCB today by email announcing that, effective Dec. 13 and with

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HRSA Weighs in on Recent 340B Contract Pharmacy Court Decisions

November 23, 2021 Tom Mirga Editor at Large Views

HRSA says it is pleased with two court decision regarding the 340B contract pharmacy program, but "respectfully disagrees with” and “continues to evaluate its options” about a third decision.

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) said this morning it “respectfully disagrees with” and “continues to evaluate its options” about a federal district judge’s Nov. 5 finding that drug manufacturers Novartis and United Therapeutic’s 340B contract pharmacy policies

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Carole Johnson Appears to be Leading Candidate to Run HRSA

November 23, 2021 Tom Mirga Editor at Large Views

A screen capture of a video of White House COVID-19 Testing Coordinator Carole Johnson during a briefing on the pandemic. Johnson reportedly will be named the next HRSA administrator.

After a 10-month delay, it looks like we may be getting close to the appointment of a permanent leader of the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the federal agency that runs the 340B drug pricing program.

News organization

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AIR340B Releases Study Criticizing DSH Hospital Commitment to the Underserved

November 23, 2021 Tom Mirga Editor at Large Views

AIR340B has released a new report saying "only true safety-net facilities" should be eligible for 340B discounts.

Drug distributor AmerisourceBergen’s business consulting unit Xcenda has written an issue brief for drug industry-led group AIR340B saying Congress and the executive branch should revise 340B eligibility standards to keep 340B “from being used solely as a profit center for

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340B Report Publisher and CEO: Expect Congress to Act on 340B Contract Pharmacy Before Midterm Elections

November 23, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

Expect Congress to end the fight over contract pharmacy before the 2022 midterm elections, 340B Report Publisher and CEO Ted Slafsky predicts in his latest column for Omnicell.

After five major court decisions on the 340B contract pharmacy standoff and no quick resolution in sight, expect Congress to end the fight over contract pharmacy before the 2022 midterm elections, 340B Report Publisher and CEO Ted Slafsky predicts in

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