Powers Principal Peggy Tighe Moderates Congressional Briefing on 340B Drug Discount Program

Powers Principal Peggy Tighe moderated a Congressional briefing on how the 340B program is working as intended and why it is critical to minority populations and access to healthcare.

The Congressional Black Caucus Healthcare Taskforce hosted the April 26 briefing. Ryan White Clinics for 340B Access (RWC-340B) and Let It B co-sponsored the briefing. The briefing focused on the 340B drug discount program, a program that enables covered entities to stretch scarce federal resources to reach more patients and provide more comprehensive services.

U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush opened the briefing by explaining how opponents of the program are seeking to change it. He vowed to work with colleagues to fight any proposals to change or eliminate the 340B program.

U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui also spoke about the 340B program, noting that it has received bi-partisan support since it was created more than 25 years ago. She explained that taxpayers do not fund the program, which was created as part of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992.

Other speakers included Dr. Leleka Doonquah, physician at AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Washington, DC; Nicole Roebuck, executive director of AID Atlanta, a Ryan White clinic in Atlanta, Georgia; and Shannon Stephenson, RWC-340B Vice President and chief executive officer of Cempa Community Care, a Ryan White clinic in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Speakers discussed the benefits communities receive because of the 340B program, how safety net providers serve minority populations through the program, and how drastic changes to the 340B program would threaten access to vitally important health care services.

Peggy Tighe

Peggy works with the Powers Healthcare and the Government Relations and Public Policy teams. She focuses on helping 340B hospitals and Ryan White clinics to preserve and protect the 340B program. Peggy has more than 25 years of experience working with physicians, hospitals and patient groups through her work at the American Medical Association. She has  worked with dozens of national coalitions and organizations, including 340B Health and Ryan White Clinics for 340B Access.

For more information about threats to the 340B program, contact Peggy Tighe at Peggy.Tighe@PowersLaw.com or (202) 872-6752.