Contact Congress about H.R. 5256: 340B ACCESS Act

Some hospitals and clinics would face tougher rules to use 340B drug discounts. Low-income and uninsured patients could pay less for some 340B drugs. Providers, pharmacies, and drug makers would also have to share more claim data.

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340B ACCESS Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Latest action on H.R. 5256: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and patients who use the 340B drug discount program. Low-income and uninsured patients could get lower drug costs in some cases. Some hospitals and clinic sites could lose access to 340B if they do not meet the new tests. Drug makers, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, Medicare, and Medicaid would get more data and face clearer federal rules.

Why this matters: The bill matters because it could change who gets discounted drugs and what some patients pay. Today, 340B rules are often disputed among hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, drug makers, and insurers. This bill would make the rules more detailed and create a new data system to track claims. That could reduce misuse and double payments, but it could also raise costs and compliance work for safety-net providers.

Key provisions in H.R. 5256

• The bill gives a detailed legal meaning for a 340B “patient.” It looks at the provider relationship, where care happens, outpatient status, recent in-person visits, telehealth, and prescriptions from outside specialists tied to care coordination.
• Off-campus hospital outpatient sites would face strict tests before using 340B discounts. They must meet Medicare provider-based rules, charity-care and Medicaid or CHIP levels, and be in a federal shortage area.
• The bill puts contract pharmacies and mail-order pharmacies into federal 340B law. It limits the number of contract pharmacies for some hospitals, sets service-area rules, requires written agreements, and adds rising penalties and possible removal for repeat violations.
• 340B hospitals would have to use sliding-fee rules for eligible patients. Those rules would cap what patients pay for each 340B drug, using fixed dollar limits or percentage limits based on income and federal poverty guidelines.
• Some non-hospital grantees would need policies that protect access to 340B drugs. If their grant laws already require financial help, they could not deny eligible patients 340B drugs because the patient cannot pay.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 5256

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 5256

What is H.R. 5256?

Some hospitals and clinics would face tougher rules to use 340B drug discounts. Low-income and uninsured patients could pay less for some 340B drugs. Providers, pharmacies, and drug makers would also have to share more claim data.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 5256?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 5256?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 5256 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.