Lawmakers Reintroduce PROTECT 340B Act With AAMC Backing
Reps. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) introduced the bipartisan PROTECT 340B Act on Oct. 29, backed by the Association of American Medical Colleges and other hospital groups. The bill would bar PBMs and insurers from offering lower reimbursement for 340B drugs, imposing extra fees on covered entities and contract pharmacies, or excluding 340B pharmacies from networks, and would create a third-party clearinghouse to resolve duplicate discounts. Unlike earlier versions, this bill would require HHS to terminate the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program before its Jan. 1, 2027 effective date. It joins competing proposals, including the Senate's SUSTAIN 340B Act and the House's SECURE 340B Act and 340B ACCESS Act, as hospitals also pursue litigation against PBMs over alleged reimbursement discrimination.