Episode 40: Big Congressional Primary Losses, G6 Back to Six and Another New Dark Money Campaign

In this episode, 340B Report Publisher and CEO Ted Slafsky and Associate Editors and Senior Writers Shannon Young and Will Newton break down the latest in 340B news, including two high-profile 340B detractors' recent GOP U.S. Senate primary election losses, the newest member of a Senate bipartisan working group focused on 340B reform, a new dark money effort seeking to influence the 340B rebate debate and contract pharmacy access bills in Minnesota and Illinois. They also tease 340B Report's upcoming June 3 webinar. Key Topics Covered: Congressional Losses and an Addition  Shannon breaks down U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and U.S. Rep. Earl "Buddy" Carter's (R-Ga.) recent GOP primary losses in two key Senate races and what the loss of the two high-profile 340B critics and advocates for change could mean for the program in the next Congress. Ted provides important historical context on Cassidy and Carter's legacies on 340B issues in Congress, as well as the losses and their highly consequential ramifications. Shannon also discusses U.S. Sen. John Boozman's (R-Ark.) addition to the "group of six" (G6) senators behind high-profile 340B program legislation, known as the "SUSTAIN 340B Act," including his record of supporting 340B providers in Congress. Dark Money Campaign Emerges  Will discusses his latest scoop on a new dark money effort pressuring congressional Republicans to support a 340B rebate model. He explains that an Austin, Texas-based nonprofit with undisclosed donors and ties to a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm recently launched a new advocacy campaign promoting 340B rebates. Will provides exclusive details on this effort and whether it will affect the ongoing 340B rebate debate. State Updates and a 340B Report Webinar Will discusses Minnesota state legislators' failed effort to pass legislation to strengthen the state's existing 340B contract pharmacy law in the final days of the state session—despite it passing the state Senate and having bipartisan backers in the state House. He also discusses an ongoing battle over 340B contract pharmacy access legislation in Illinois. Will then previews 340B Report's exclusive, subscriber-only webinar, which will take place June 3 at 1 p.m. ET. Attorneys representing the covered entity and drugmaker perspectives will join 340B Report's editorial team to break down ongoing litigation over state 340B contract pharmacy access laws, as well as potential new legal pathways for covered entities to challenge alleged overcharge violations. You can learn more about the webinar here.    Subscribe & Stay Updated How to Follow Us and Learn More About This Episode's Sponsor Stay tuned for more episodes every other week! 🎧Subscribe to Inside 340B Report on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Each episode is brought to you by one of our great Ultra Diamond sponsors. Verity Solutions' innovative, award-winning 340B program management solutions are designed to optimize 340B pharmacy spend and maximize pharmacy supply chain savings. We are very grateful to Verity Solutions for its sponsorship.   Subscribe to 340B Report with a Special Discount We're offering a special discount for podcast listeners. 340B Report is the indispensable source for news and intelligence on the 340B program. First-time subscribers may subscribe now using coupon code PODCAST25. Not ready to subscribe? Sign up for a 15-day free trial.