Stand up for Georgia Patients

Lawmaker Letter:

As your constituent, I urge you to oppose House Bill 139, legislation that would expand the 340B program and allow large hospitals and for-profit corporations to continue profiting off Georgia patients in need.

The federal 340B program was created to help low-income and uninsured patients access critical health care, but a lack of program transparency and accountability has allowed 340B to evolve into a growing profit center for large hospitals, as well as for-profit corporations and pharmacy middlemen, pocketing program discounts instead of passing them on to patients. This abuse impacts us all, increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients, driving billions of dollars a year in extra healthcare costs for employers, and reducing tax revenues that could be invested back into Georgia communities.

House Bill 139 (HB 139) will facilitate further abuse of the 340B program by prohibiting manufacturers and wholesalers from placing any restrictions on how many pharmacies a 340B hospital can contract with. If this legislation passes, the Georgia General Assembly would exacerbate these issues and allow PBMs and for-profit corporations will continue to line their pockets with savings meant for vulnerable Georgia patients.

I urge you to stand with Georgia patients and oppose HB 139.