Kaine, Moran, Baldwin, Capito, Mullin, Hickenlooper Announce Senate 340B Bipartisan Working Group
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), alongside Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO), were welcomed by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), as new members of the Senate 340B bipartisan working group.
The 340B program was established to provide certain non-profit health care providers, hospitals and clinics a discount on outpatient drugs. These covered entities then use these savings to provide more comprehensive services to eligible patients and their communities. The Senate 340B working group was founded to advance bipartisan policy solutions that would make certain the program can continue to achieve its intended goal of supporting hospitals serving vulnerable populations like rural communities.
“I often hear from Virginia health care providers, especially those serving rural areas, about the instrumental role the 340B program plays in ensuring that patients can access the medicines they need,” said Kaine. “That’s why I’ve long appreciated that support for 340B comes from both sides of the aisle, and I’m looking forward to joining this working group so we can make this program even stronger.”
“The 340B program fulfills a critical purpose of keeping costs low for eligible health care providers and the patients they serve,” said Moran. “After making significant progress last year, I am pleased to continue the efforts of the Senate 340B bipartisan working group, and add new members, with the shared goal of strengthening the 340B program to ensure its long-term viability. I am grateful for Sen. Thune’s past leadership of this group and look forward to building upon past efforts with this new working group.”
“The 340B program is crucial in helping ensure that Wisconsinites – especially in rural and hard to reach areas – get the medication and care they need,” said Baldwin. “I am proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to strengthen this program and better ensure all Wisconsin can get the health care they need at a price they can afford.”
“As a long-time member of the Working Group, I welcome our new members and thank our past members for their dedication and work on this important issue,” saidCapito. “The 340B program is vital for my state and I look forward to introducing legislation that provides clarity, transparency, and accountability to ensure the program remains strong.”
“Together, we’re working to restore integrity and intent to the 340B program,” said Mullin. “I appreciate this working group’s transparent and thoughtful process and look forward to driving results for American families.”
“The 340B program provides lower-cost prescription drugs for millions of Americans and is a lifeline for our community health care providers,” said Hickenlooper. “We’re working together to make the program more transparent and resilient, so it supports those who need it most.”
Past work by the Senate 340B bipartisan working group:
- In February 2024, the 340B working group released a legislative discussion draft and supplemental request for information which included solutions to improve the 340B program.
- In 2023, the working group requested feedback from stakeholders on ways to improve the 340B program through bipartisan policy solutions.
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