How Hospitals Get Rich Off Your Prescriptions

How can low-income communities afford costly medications? A government program called 340B, which was originally created to help low income patients, now generates significant income for hospitals. Find out what caused this program to falter and how Congress can get it back on track with today's guest speaker Dr. Bill Smith. Dr. Smith, the current visiting Fellow at the Pioneer Institute, talks with our hosts Terry and Bob as we dissect what is at stake for low- income patients and their ability to afford prescription drugs. 

To catch you up on all the latest health care news, take a listen to Terry and Bob as they provide weekly updates on what's happening in Washington. From the Affordable Insulin Now Act to understanding the debate on employer-sponsored care, we have the news all chronic disease patients and advocates need to know today. 

We also hear from Alyse as she shares her story on costly over-the-counter vitamins needed to treat a calcium deficiency. 

Hosts: 

Terry Wilcox, Executive Director, Patients Rising

Dr. Robert Goldberg, “Dr. Bob,” Co-Founder and Vice President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest

Kate Pecora, Field Correspondent

Guests: 

Bill Smith, Ph.D., Pioneer Institute’s Visiting Fellow: Life Sciences

Alyse, Patient Advocate

Kimberly Gonzalez, Patient Correspondent 

Links: 

340B Drug Pricing Program | US Health Resources & Services Administration 

‘We don’t know how to survive here’: a cancer ward for Ukrainian children under seige

​​Medicare Part D 

Davis, McEachin Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Increased Prescription Drug Costs - Congressman Rodney Davis

Season 3 | Episode 7: Meet the Healthcare Mafia (And How to Stop It)

Bennet, Warnock, Colleagues Introduce New Bill to Cap Costs of Insulin in Colorado, Across the Country | Press Releases | US Senator Michael Bennet

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The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest(s)/ author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of Patients Rising.