About this episode

Thomas Yu discusses the successful advocacy efforts in Illinois that led to new protections for 340B contract pharmacy access.

After years of lobbying and advocacy work by 340B covered entities, the Illinois state legislature approved major 340B legislation earlier this year that protects 340B contract pharmacy access and prohibits drugmaker claims on data demands. Thomas Yu, system director of ambulatory pharmacy services at Sinai Chicago, discusses the campaign that made this legislative victory possible and what covered entities in other states can learn from this success. Joint Events Showed Unity Among Safety-Net Providers Yu says two “340B Saves Lives” days of action in Chicago helped drive support for the legislative effort. Under the leadership of an association representing community health centers, the events brought together covered entities, patients, lawmakers, and others to show a united front on the issue of protecting 340B. The Story of 340B Resonated With Lawmakers, Not Numbers Alone Yu reiterates that statistics and data can be helpful in making the case for 340B but that the story of 340B is what can swing votes. Focusing on community impact and how covered entities use their savings to benefit patients was much more effective at imparting the importance of legislation to protect…

People in this episode

Guest: Thomas Yu

Topics covered

• 340B legislation
• advocacy
• healthcare policy
• contract pharmacy
• community impact
• safety-net providers

Keywords

• 340B
• legislation
• advocacy
• Illinois
• contract pharmacy
• healthcare
• community health centers
• safety-net providers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sinai Chicago, 340B Health, community health centers

Places: Illinois

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