Call to action: 340B good stewardship initiative

In light of significant legislative, administrative and media activity related to the 340B drug pricing program, the American Hospital Association (AHA) concluded that more transparency in the program could help 340B hospitals articulate the importance of the program to the communities they serve.

The AHA and individual 340B hospitals have come together to ensure good stewardship of the 340B program with a proposal for a voluntary “Commitment to Good Stewardship Principles.”

By agreeing to the commitment, a 340B hospital would be agreeing to:

• Develop a narrative about how the program helps them address needs in their community, including by identifying example programs and services supported in part through savings generated by the 340B program. Hospitals are not asked to account for how each dollar of savings is tied to a particular program or service as that is neither the intent of the program nor would it be feasible. This narrative would be updated once per year.
• Disclose the estimated financial value of the program to their organization using a standardized methodology.
• Continue rigorous internal reviews to ensure that all program rules are being met.

AHA members can go to www.aha.org/340B  to access the principles, the accompanying guidance documents and to sign the commitment.  The sign-on process is simple and straightforward. The AHA asks for the name and contact information for the hospital, as well as confirmation that the CEO has agreed to the commitment.

Health systems are able to sign on once and just identify all of the 340B hospitals in their system that are agreeing to the commitment.

If you are not an AHA member, you can sign up with an alternative web tool to document your commitment.