If enacted, this resolution will direct the Illinois Auditor General to conduct a thorough assessment of the 340B Program's financial activities, including the profits generated by covered entities and the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). This investigation will also examine the implications of these practices on state health programs, such as Medicaid and the State Employees Group Insurance Program, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the benefits intended for disadvantaged populations materialize appropriately.
Summary
HR0158 is a resolution calling for an extensive audit of the 340B Drug Pricing Program utilized by covered entities in Illinois. The resolution aims to investigate the profitability of the 340B Program within the state, focusing on the extent to which discounts are passed on to vulnerable populations. It emphasizes a growing concern that the program, intended to provide accessible medications to low-income and uninsured patients, may not be achieving its primary objective effectively due to a lack of transparency in its operations.
Contention
Debate surrounding HR0158 centers on concerns over how well the 340B Program currently serves vulnerable patients. Critics argue that the program has expanded to serve commercially insured individuals at the expense of those it was meant to protect, such as low-income and uninsured patients. The resolution advocates for increased oversight and accountability to ensure that participating hospitals fulfill their charitable missions and that the discounts provided through the 340B Program directly benefit the patient populations who need it the most.