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Rural 340B Access Act of 2025
1/31/2025, 6:53 AM
Summary of Bill HR 44
By including rural emergency hospitals in the definition of covered entities, this bill seeks to expand access to discounted drugs for patients in rural areas who may otherwise struggle to afford necessary medications. This change would help these hospitals better serve their communities by reducing the financial burden on patients and improving overall healthcare outcomes.
Overall, Bill 119 hr 44 aims to address the unique challenges faced by rural emergency hospitals and ensure that they have access to the resources they need to provide quality care to their patients. This legislation has the potential to make a significant impact on healthcare in rural America and improve the overall well-being of underserved populations.
Congressional Summary of HR 44
Rural 340B Access Act of 2025
This bill makes rural emergency hospitals (REHs) eligible to purchase drugs from manufacturers at discounted prices by participating in the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) 340B drug pricing program. HRSA’s 340B program requires drug manufacturers that participate in the Medicaid program to sell certain outpatient drugs at discounted prices to entities listed as eligible under current law. Additionally, in 2020, Congress established REHs as a new Medicare provider designation for hospitals in rural areas providing emergency department services, observation care, and other outpatient medical and health services for which the annual per patient average length of stay does not exceed 24 hours. The bill adds qualifying REHs to the list of entities that are eligible to participate in the 340B program.
