Great Lakes Wire

A recent development in Michigan's legislative landscape saw the passage of Senate Bill 1179, a move aimed at safeguarding community healthcare services from what are described as "arbitrary attacks" by pharmaceutical manufacturers on the 340B drug pricing program. This bill was supported by a bipartisan group of senators.

Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, expressed gratitude for this legislative action. He stated, "We are grateful for the broad bipartisan collection of senators who passed Senate Bill 1179 to protect community healthcare services from pharmaceutical manufacturers’ arbitrary attacks on the 340B drug pricing program."

The bill seeks to defend safety net providers such as Federally Qualified Health Centers and hospitals serving cancer patients and rural communities. These institutions reportedly face threats from drug manufacturers prioritizing profits over access to healthcare.

Peters further acknowledged the efforts of Michigan’s senators against external pharmaceutical interest groups. "Michigan’s senators stood up to the out-of-state pharmaceutical interest groups and we applaud them for their efforts," he said.

He also urged further legislative support: "We now call on the Michigan House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s lead and get this bill over the finish line. Michiganders can’t afford to continue to have their healthcare services attacked to pad PhRMA balance sheets."