340B Drug Pricing program cuts threaten affordable medications for Georgia patients

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - With healthcare concerns growing from Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire by 2026, health centers that provide services to low-income families are especially at risk of rising medical costs.

Diversity Health Center unveiled their brand-new community garden Monday, but it’s one of their biggest programs that could be experiencing some pruning of its own.

The 340b program allows places like Diversity Health to purchase medicinal drugs at a lowered rate, allowing them to pass those savings onto their patients, who are often uninsured and are unable to afford the standard rate. However, with cuts taking away 10 of the most commonly prescribed drugs from the 340b program, it could have dire effects for patients who suffer from things like diabetes or Parkinson’s disease.

“They can’t afford medications that cost 3-4-5-hundred bucks, but if they can go to a pharmacy and get a 90-day supply for 10 bucks, that makes the difference on whether or not they live to see their kids graduate, they love to see the next wedding and so it is extremely important for our communities here in Georgia,” said Teresa Jacobs, medical director for Georgia Primary Care Association.

A meeting will be held on Wednesday for Georgian health care officials to get together and try to find ways to keep discounted drug prices for their patients.

Diversity Health’s CEO Stephanie Jones-Heath is one of these officials asking questions and finding workarounds to try and find what discounts they can offer to patients.