SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (March 17, 2025) — As state legislators debate prescription-drug reform this spring, the Illinois Primary Health Care Association, on behalf of Illinois’ 56 community health centers, is proposing legislation to end unnecessary and unfair restrictions on prescription drug discounts through the 340B program. During IPHCA’s annual lobby day at the Capitol, members from across the state will be discussing this vital program that benefits uninsured and low-income patients at no cost to tax-payers.
The proposed Illinois Patient Access to 340B Pharmacy Protection Act is Senate Bill 2385, sponsored by Senator Dave Koehler, and House Bill 3350, sponsored by Representative Anna Moeller.
Since the early 1990s, the federal 340B program has allowed participating community health centers to purchase drugs at steeply-discounted rates from pharmaceutical manufacturers. Health centers then pass those savings onto their patients in two forms.
First, the roughly 300,000 uninsured Illinoisans who receive their care at health centers can obtain medications at affordable prices.
Second, for patients with health-care coverage, savings are generated from insurer payments for patient drugs, that health centers are then required by federal law to reinvest back into unfunded or underfunded services and supports. Examples include providing free colonoscopies and mammograms, offering free transportation for medical appointments, and bringing mobile clinics closer to meet patients where they are.
Recently, pharmaceutical companies have imposed dangerous restrictions on the 340B program that hurt patients and the centers where they receive care. The Illinois Patient Access to 340B Pharmacy Protection Act legislation is modeled after efforts that have passed in eight other states, including Arkansas, which saw its law upheld by the US Supreme Court.
The legislation has no cost through state or federal funding, but simply prohibits drug companies from prohibiting, restricting, or interfering with local pharmacies’ participation in 340B programs. Supporters say the change is simple and necessary to ensure 340B can continue to provide a lifeline for patients and the health centers that serve them.
“Patients need to know they can get the prescription care they depend on, and our health centers need the support from 340B participation to serve our communities best,” said Ollie Idowu, President and CEO, Illinois Primary Health Care Association. “The Illinois Patient Access to 340B Pharmacy Protection Act is a critical step forward for patient care in underserved communities across our state. We ask the Legislature to stand with patients by supporting this commonsense legislation.”
About the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA)
IPHCA is a nonprofit trade association that serves as the voice of and champion for all 56 Illinois community health centers which serve more than 1.5 million patients annually across more than 430 service sites in medically-underserved areas in our state’s rural, urban, and suburban communities. Visit: iphca.org/.
