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In Illinois’ southernmost communities, 18% of residents live in poverty and have historically low levels of education and high rates of illness and mortality. Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) serves this 16-county rural area that’s considered medically underserved.
 
The federal 340B program has been a lifeline for hospitals that are often the sole providers of care in communities with high poverty levels. 340B drug discounts have helped SIH meet the healthcare needs of underserved southern Illinois communities. Because of 340B, SIH has:
 
• Expanded cancer care and infusion services;
• Provided patient access to medication assistance programs;
• Funded chronic disease and diabetes self-management programs;
• Provide support and services related to behavioral health; and
• Increased access to oral health services.
 
Yet, pharmaceutical companies are drastically reducing drug savings hospitals use to invest in patients by limiting contract pharmacy relationships to one per covered entity and imposing arbitrary distance requirements.
 
“These constraints amount to over $2 million annually which could have gone to patients,” said SIH Chief Financial Officer Warren Ladner. “The negative impact of the manufacturer restrictions includes medication adherence issues (missed doses, delays) and impact continuity of care, resulting in readmissions and an overall increase in our health system’s total cost of care.”
 
Vote YES on House Bill 2371 SA 2 to prevent Big Pharma from restricting access to critical, affordable care. Learn more.