Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Gregg Harper (R-MS) yesterday introduced the Closing Loopholes for Orphan Drugs Act (, legislation that would limit the “orphan drug” exclusion for 340B Drug Pricing Program rural and cancer hospitals. Specifically, the legislation would allow 340B critical access hospitals, sole community providers, rural referral centers and free-standing cancer hospitals to purchase orphan drugs at discounted rates through the 340B program as long as the orphan drug is used to treat illnesses or conditions other than the rare illnesses or conditions for which the orphan drug designation was originally given.

Related News Articles

Headline
The AHA June 16 released a report showing hospitals that participated in the 340B Drug Pricing Program are not only subject to disproportionately greater…
Chairperson's File
Public
Advocacy is such an important part of what we do as hospitals and health systems — and what the AHA does on behalf of our field — to help ensure that we get…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services May 30 released a notice requesting comments on a proposed Medicare Advantage service level data collection…
Headline
The AHA commented to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services June 10 on the fiscal year 2026 inpatient prospective payment system proposed rule (https…
Headline
The AHA expressed concerns (LINK) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today on payment updates for the fiscal year 2026 proposed rule for the…
Headline
The AHA commented on proposed changes to the Transforming Episode Accountability Model, a new, mandatory, episode-based payment model scheduled to begin Jan. 1…