Powers Principal Bill von Oehsen joined six current and former members of Congress and nearly 200 safety-net healthcare providers on Capitol Hill last month to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the 340B drug discount program.
During the event, Bill was formally honored as one of the founders of 340B Health, formerly Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access, an advocacy organization of more than 1,200 public and private nonprofit hospitals participating in the 340B program.
President George H.W. Bush signed the bill creating the 340B program on Nov. 4, 1992. The program requires drug makers that participate in Medicaid or Medicare Part B to provide discounts for outpatient drugs sold to clinics, health centers, and hospitals that provide a “disproportionate share” of care to low-income patients.
Powers Principal Bill von Oehsen (right) with 340B Health President and Chief Executive Officer Ted Slafsky (center) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH).
The legislation was approved by both houses of Congress with bipartisan support. The law was expanded in 2010 under the Affordable Care Act, which Bill von Oehsen also helped to orchestrate.
Bill has more than 20 years of experience on pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement matters, including the 340B drug discount program, the Medicaid drug rebate program, Medicare Part D, Robinson-Patman, and state Medicaid and pharmacy laws. In 1997, he helped organize the 340B Coalition, which now represents a dozen national organizations whose members comprise virtually all of the safety net providers participating in the 340B program.
In addition to representing 340B Health and other clients on 340B matters, Bill provides guidance to pharmacies, pharmacy-related vendors and consultants, states, local governments, and other healthcare entities in their efforts to improve access to pharmaceutical care and to ensure compliance with drug pricing laws.
He has experience in counseling clients on matters involving the federal supply schedule and federal ceiling price programs, state pharmaceutical assistance programs, manufacturer patient assistance programs, the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, Medicare Part B, managed care and related authorities.
For more information regarding the 340B program or drug pricing, contact Bill von Oehsen at 202-872-6765 or William.vonOehsen@powerslaw.com.