Patients Rising

North Dakota prides itself on resisting chain pharmacies, yet the 340B program is quietly feeding national chains through out-of-state networks. 340B was designed to provide discounted medications to rural and underserved hospitals in the state, but according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, ND residents face an average $1,551 in medical debt per person, with $490 in collections. Read more about why Gov. Kelly Armstrong should VETO HB1473 ??

Join us in Washington, D.C., from June 9–11 for the annual We the Patients Fly-In, where advocates from across the country come together to speak with lawmakers and elevate the lived experiences of patients in healthcare conversations. We want to bring together those impacted by chronic and rare conditions, along with caregivers and allies who are passionate about ensuring that patients remain at the center of every healthcare decision. Your experience carries weight, and when you speak, policymakers listen differently. This is your chance to turn that advocacy into influence. Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q03dr0kk0

It’s a win for patients in Virginia as Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed a bill that would have created a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in the state. While the bill was framed as a way to tackle high drug costs, PDABs have yet to show they actually work. The data just isn’t there. Maryland was the first state to roll out a PDAB, and five years later, despite millions in taxpayer funding and years of meetings, the board has delivered little to no measurable relief to patients. Gov. Youngkin had the foresight to reject a flawed proposal, and his decision reflects the need for solutions that deliver direct benefits to the patients and families shouldering the burden of rising healthcare costs.

For some families a single medication makes the difference between stability and crisis. Charles Conway is raising concerns about Virginia’s proposed Prescription Drug Affordability Board and what it could mean for his daughter Angelica, who lives with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Charles was recently a guest columnist for the Virginia Mercury, where he shared how Prescription Drug Affordability Board policies could limit access to the only approved treatment for his daughter’s condition. His message is clear — Lawmakers must consider the real-world consequences of well-meaning proposals: https://hubs.ly/Q03d8G6W0

Hospitals participating in the 340B program receive significant discounts on prescription drugs that intended to help financially vulnerable and uninsured patients. Yet, despite these savings, nonprofit hospitals dedicate only 2.3% of their revenue to charity care. So, where is the rest of the money going? Instead of using 340B funds to provide meaningful financial relief, many hospitals are padding their bottom lines while patients continue to struggle with medical debt. It’s time for accountability and transparency in how 340B savings are used???

A bill advancing in the New York Legislature would let wealthy corporations profit by taking advantage of a federal program meant to support financially vulnerable families. 340B was created to help these populations, but without accountability or transparency, hospitals are exploiting it to create an additional revenue stream. Terry Wilcox, co-founder and Chief Mission Officer of Patients Rising, wrote an op-ed in Empire report detailing how nonprofit medical facilities have gamed the system to maximize profits by charging patients full price for discounted drugs. Read it here: https://hubs.ly/Q03c-9Gr0

Colorado’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board was introduced with the promise of lowering medication costs, but at what price to taxpayers? With $2 million already spent, questions remain about whether this board is delivering real savings for patients or just adding another layer of bureaucracy?? https://lnkd.in/e_X6hRkH

Check this out — Here’s your chance to speak up and make an impact on drug pricing policies that could shape the future of healthcare affordability? Sign up at the link: https://hubs.ly/Q03clLRr0

The 340B program was created to make medications more affordable for vulnerable patients, but too often, the savings don’t reach those who need them most. Instead, contract pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and hospital systems are profiting while patients continue to face high out-of-pocket costs. If you’ve struggled with medical debt related to in-patient medications, we want to hear your story. Click the link below to share your experience with us: ??https://hubs.ly/Q03c8dTM0

When patients brought issues to the board’s attention, they fell on deaf ears: ??When asked that savings go directly to patients - the board recommended no action. ??When asked if the board would ensure confidentiality protections - the board recommended no action. ??When asked if the board would provide meaningful opportunity for public comment - the board recommended no action. This isn’t about affordability, this isn't about accountability, and this isn’t about patients. PDABs are political stunts used to control the illusion of progress.