WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, the Rural & Agriculture Council of America (RACA) and American Agri-Women (AAW) sent a joint letter to Congressional leaders asking them to preserve the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
“The cost of prescription drugs is often a heavy burden on the household budgets of Americans in rural areas and those costs continue to rise,” the letter states. “Drug prices have risen 11 percent on average every year since 2008, and the largest jumps came in 2020 and 2021.”
The 340B Drug Pricing Program requires drug manufacturers to sell critical medications at a discount to providers. The program also helps fund free and low-cost medications as well diabetes, cancer, dental and primary care clinics that serve our most vulnerable citizens.
“Our healthcare system should never put profits ahead of patients. We urge you and your committee to do everything in your power to protect the 340B program to help keep rural patients healthy and powering America,” the groups concluded.
Click HERE to read the letter.
–Rural & Agriculture Council of America (RACA)
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