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 Matsui (D-Calif.) and Chris Stewart’s (R-Utah) bill H.R. 3203 last week Tuesday, Nov. 23. It is backed by 17 Democrats and 13 Republicans as of Nov. 15. The official website for U.S. federal legislative information had not been updated as of early this morning to reflect Stefanik’s co-sponsorship. Her office confirmed yesterday that she is a co-sponsor.
Disproportionate share (DSH) hospitals, children’s hospitals, and free-standing cancer hospitals must maintain a Medicare DSH adjustment percentage greater than 11.75% to stay eligible for 340B. Rural referral centers and sole community hospitals must maintain a percentage equal to greater than 8%.
H.R. 3203 waives the requirement during the COVID–19 public health emergency. Matsui and Stewart introduced the bill in May. They filed a similar bill during the last session of Congress.
Six senators, including the chamber’s second highest-ranking Republican, John Thune (S.D.), reintroduced a companion bill, S. 773, from the last session of Congress in March. All told, it has 27 sponsors—14 Republicans and 13 Democrats.
Thune and Stefanik have long track records of support for 340B covered entities.
Despite the House and Senate bills’ high-profile and bipartisan backing, there is no sign of either bill being passed any time soon.
