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Illustration: Tiffany Herring/Axios
Talks on a Senate 340B reform bill have hit a snag that will prevent its release before recess, Senate Republicans told Axios exclusively.
Driving the news: Sen. John Thune told Axios yesterday that the bill would be released this week, but that plan is now on hold due to unspecified disagreements between Republicans and Democrats.
- Sources said there were 11th-hour differences between Republicans and Democrats on bill text last night, and the decision was made to delay in order to allow more time to work it out.
- The bill will instead likely be rolled out in the fall.
What they're saying: "The bipartisan 340B working group has been working since last summer to develop and advance the SUSTAIN Act, and while we would have preferred to have introduced it this week, it's clear that we need a little more time to get this across the finish line," Sens. John Thune, Jerry Moran and Shelley Moore Capito said in a statement to Axios.
- "On something of this magnitude, getting it right is far more important than setting an artificial deadline. Republicans have committed to working in good faith over the upcoming recess to ensure we have as strong of a product as possible to introduce this fall. We sincerely hope Democrats join us in that effort."
Besides Thune, Moran and Capito, the Senate 340B working group includes Democrats Debbie Stabenow, Tammy Baldwin and Ben Cardin.
- The Democrats' offices didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Flashback: There's been growing momentum in both chambers this Congress to address the 340B program, but the proposals floating around differ.
- Earlier this year, Reps. Larry Bucshon, Buddy Carter and Diana Harshbarger introduced a 340B bill backed by the pharmaceutical industry that would codify the definition of a 340B patient and reset eligibility requirements for hospitals.
- House Energy and Commerce also held a hearing on the 340B program in June, where members on both sides of the aisle signaled interest in new transparency requirements and addressing provider consolidation.
- Senate HELP Ranking Member Sen. Bill Cassidy has opened an investigation into two hospitals that are in the 340B program, and sent a letter seeking information from contract pharmacies on revenue from the program.
Reality check: While Thune has previously said he wants to get 340B reform done this year — even in a year-end health package — it could be a long shot.
- Asked at Senate votes Wednesday about this 340B reform effort, Cassidy said he'd like to see the legislation but added, "I think I know that it's probably running against the grain of what the House has proposed. Which means it's probably not going to make it into a final package."
- Cassidy added that 340B is within HELP's jurisdiction and that he definitely wants to work on returning the program "to the original intent" if he becomes chair next year.
