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National Minority Quality Forum Statement for Senate HELP Committee 340B Program Hearing

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Washington D.C. (October 23, 2025) — Today, the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), one of the nation’s largest research, education, and advocacy organizations focused on population health, issued the following statement regarding the340 Drug Discount Program, the subject of a scheduled Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing, “The 340B Program: Examining Its Growth and Impact on Patients.”

The 340B Drug Pricing Program, created by Congress in 1992,is a federal program that requires
drug manufacturers participating in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, created by Congress in 1990, to provide outpatient drugs at significantly reduced prices for certain health care facilities or programs (covered entities). As of February 2025, there were more than 60,000 covered entities participating in the 340B Program, representing an increase of more than 600 % since 2000. In 2023, covered entities purchased approximately $66.3 billion in covered outpatient drugs at the discounted 340B price, with the top 10 drugs purchased representing about one-third of total 340B spending.

“The National Minority Quality Forum believes that healthcare policies should be designed to
deliver direct, observable benefits that communities can experience in their daily lives, following principles that align resource allocation with biological realities and population health needs, said Dr. Gary Puckrein, President and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum. Effective healthcare policy must ensure that resources intended for vulnerable populations actually reach those communities in ways that measurably improve their health outcomes and reduce their financial burden. When policies rely on indirect mechanisms that cannot be observed or experienced by their intended beneficiaries, they create a disconnect between policy promises and community reality that undermines both health equity and public trust. NMQF encourages Congress to consider frameworks that prioritize accountability, transparency, and measurable outcomes for the communities most in need of assistance.

“The 340B Drug Pricing Program lacks systematic evaluation of its impact on patient outcomes,” Dr. Puckrein stated further. Given the size and reach of the 340B Program, it is noteworthy that the 340B statute does not specify how covered entities must use 340B revenue or whether it should directly benefit patients. NMQF is proactive, focused and strategic in identifying issues and opportunities to advance our vision through the lens of our patient-centered Physical Laws Framework. The National Minority Quality Forum believes that consensus must be forged, with input and engagement from leadership in affected communities, regarding enhancing both accountability and societal benefit of the 340B Drug Pricing Program”.

Questions regarding this statement should be directed to Gretchen C. Wartman, NMQF Vice President for Policy and Program (gwartman@nmqf.org).

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About National Minority Quality Forum

Founded in 1998, National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is a United States-based, health care research, education and advocacy organization whose mission is to reduce patient risk and advance health equity by assuring optimal care for all. For more than 25 years, consistent with the Physical Laws Framework, NMQF has worked to ensure that health services policy and financing eliminate rather than reinforce or exacerbate the gaps in healthcare quality and access that are experienced by all patients and communities. For more information, please visit http://www.nmqf.org.