In the debate over the 340B Drug Pricing Program, one question continues to surface:
Is the program actually helping patients?

While 340B compliance often dominates headlines, it’s worth stepping back and looking at the bigger picture.

Across the country, 340B-covered entities are using program savings to expand access to care in meaningful, measurable ways. From rural health centers to major health systems, this safety-net program remains one of the most effective tools for reaching underserved populations. This post provides a snapshot of recent findings and offers a data-driven look at how the program contributes to care expansion efforts across a wide range of healthcare settings.

The Reach of the 340B Program

• Over 50,000 sites now participate in the 340B program, including hospitals, FQHCs, Ryan White clinics, and more.
• In 2022 alone, the 340B program facilitated $54 billion in discounted drug purchases, up from $38 million in 2020, allowing covered entities to stretch federal resources further (Drug Channels Institute).
• More than 60% of U.S. hospitals participate in the program, many of them serving disproportionate numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients.

This scale allows for a wide range of reinvestment approaches — though how savings are used can vary significantly depending on the type and size of the entity.

Impact on Pharmacy Access

Access to prescription medications is a key barrier to care — especially in low-income and rural communities. 340B helps bridge this gap.

• Covered entities report using 340B savings to fund in-house pharmacies, hire pharmacy staff, and offer $0 co-pay medication programs for uninsured patients.
• According to HRSA data, over 50% of covered entities use 340B funds to provide free or reduced-cost medications to patients who otherwise could not afford them.
• In FQHCs, nearly 7 in 10 patients live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level — and 340B savings are often the only way these clinics can afford to maintain a full formulary.

Service Expansion & Care Delivery

340B is not just about medication access — it's about enabling the full scope of care delivery in high-need areas.

• Many covered entities use 340B savings to support chronic disease management programs, behavioral health services, or transportation assistance.
• Hospitals frequently reinvest 340B revenue into uncompensated care, including emergency room services, interpreter services, and charity care initiatives.
• In rural areas, 340B funding has helped sustain essential access hospitals, where margins are thin and closure risks are high.

What This Means for Policy & Perception

With increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and manufacturers, the 340B program’s future is far from settled. Reports like Senator Cassidy’s recent investigation question how funds are used — particularly among larger hospital systems.

But for many smaller providers and FQHCs, the data tells a clear story:
340B remains a lifeline.

Transparency and accountability are important, but the risk of restricting or eliminating access to 340B discounts could directly impact patient care, especially for those with the fewest options.

The data shows that 340B continues to be widely used as a tool to stretch healthcare resources, particularly in high-need settings. However, outcomes vary by entity type, and ongoing discussions around transparency, oversight, and utilization practices suggest the program will remain under close scrutiny.

At RxTrail, we help covered entities ensure that their operations align with program intent — identifying gaps, ensuring audit readiness, and supporting internal tracking. Whether your team is optimizing reinvestment or preparing for future reporting requirements, clarity starts with understanding the numbers.

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