Advocates for Community Health has issued the following statement in response to the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) report released September 9th:

Advocates for Community Health welcomes new research and data on the 340B program that help policymakers understand the vital role the program plays to health centers. While the CBO report failed to acknowledge it directly, health centers are required to reinvest every penny of 340B savings into programs and services.

In an increasingly challenging fiscal environment where health centers are running on razor-thin margins, the dollars they receive through the 340B program keep clinics open, expand services, and ensure that patients can access the medications and care they need – all without costing the taxpayer a dime.

If the 340B program were to be scaled back, health centers would be forced to scale back as well. However, this report makes clear that there are gaps in understanding about the program, and we strongly support greater accountability and transparency in the program so that policymakers can better understand how the 340B program strengthens communities.