DPC Testifies Against 340B Expansion Bill before North Dakota Senate Human Services Committee

Domestic Policy Caucus Secretary/Treasurer Kent Kaiser, Ph.D., testified virtually before the North Dakota Senate Human Services Committee on March 12 to oppose House Bill 1473, which would expand the federal 340B program in the state.

Among other points, Kaiser said, "...North Dakota's unique pharmacy ownership rules are just another reason you should have serious concerns about HB1473. According to the Pioneer Institute, 51% of current 340B contract pharmacies are located outside of North Dakota (of the 254 contract pharmacies, 129 are outside North Dakota). Supporting this bill will mean there will be unlimited contracts with the likes of CVS and Walgreens in Moorhead or East Grand Forks--or as far away as Hawaii. Meaning, those 340B funds meant to help North Dakotans are leaving the state. Layer that on top of what we heard in earlier testimony on this bill some days ago, where one hospital system official talked about using North Dakota's 340B funds to provide a variety of services in Minnesota..."

Listen to the full hearing here, with DPC testimony beginning at about 10:22:15 AM.