U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) are finalizing bipartisan legislation to provide temporary 340b program requirement flexibilities to hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill will protect hospitals from losing 340b eligibility and waive 340b statutory requirements. Similar legislation sponsored by Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bob Portman (R-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), S.4160, does not have the 340b hospital waiver. Senators Matsui and Stewart also tried getting the 340b legislation flexibilities passed in the recent HEROES act, but Senate Leaders and the White House are currently negotiating what will be put into the next package. Stewart states that many providers will become ineligible for 340b drug discounts due to the pandemic.
