In Reply We respectfully disagree with Dr Fong’s assessment of the value of the 340B program. As detailed in our Viewpoint, we believe that the 340B program is critical to the safety-net organizations and to millions of vulnerable patients with cancer they serve.
Evidence shows that the 340B program is indeed helping more patients and providing more comprehensive services: (1) the load of low-income patients in 340B hospitals is nearly twice as large as in non-340B hospitals1; (2) 340B hospitals account for one-third of all disproportionate-share hospitals (DSHs) but provide nearly 60% of all uncompensated care; and (3) more 340B DSHs than non-340B hospitals provide specialized services that are often not profitable.1 The 2011 Government Accountability Report2 on the 340B program reported that 340B facilities are using their program savings to benefit vulnerable patients, consistent with congressional intent.