Brief

The 340B Drug Pricing Program, established by Congress in 1992, allows safety-net hospitals and clinics to purchase outpatient prescription drugs at significant discounts from manufacturers. This program, designed to support providers serving low-income and uninsured patients, is funded not by direct federal subsidies but by mandatory discounts as a condition of participation in Medicare and Medicaid. Over the past three decades, the program has expanded dramatically, with over half of U.S. hospitals now participating and discounted purchases reaching $81.4 billion in 2024, leading to controversy over hospital margins and drug pricing. AI

Pharmaceutical industry leaders are advocating for stability and predictability from the next Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner following a period of leadership changes and uncertainty. CEOs from major drug companies emphasized the need for consistent regulatory rules, given the long development timelines and significant investments involved in bringing new medicines to market. The industry also expressed concerns about potential drug pricing policies, such as "most favored nation" pricing, fearing it could lead to rationing of care. AI

Axios will host its second annual Future of Health Summit on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, featuring discussions on the evolving healthcare landscape. The event will convene various leaders from the health, technology, and policy sectors to explore these changes. Notable speakers include executives from CLEAR, Bristol Myers Squibb, WHOOP, Weight Watchers, and PhRMA, alongside government officials and journalists. AI