The Meadville Tribune: There's a lot at stake this National Health Center Week

By Jennifer Riley, Patients Come First Pennsylvania Executive Director

As we recognize National Health Center Week (Aug. 2-8), we should be clear about what is at stake. More than 300 community health centers (CHCs) across Pennsylvania provide affordable care to over 1 million patients each year, including individuals and families in Meadville and in other parts of northwestern Pennsylvania where access to care can be dangerously limited.

An important tool CHCs use to expand access is the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which requires drug manufacturers to offer discounts to safety-net providers. The program was designed to reduce financial barriers for patients, helping them afford life-saving medications and allowing providers to reinvest in expanded care.

But over time, that mission has been compromised. Without transparency requirements, large hospital systems are able to purchase drugs at deep discounts, collect higher payments from patients or insurers and keep the difference.

Read the full LTE in The Meadville Tribune here.