How HR 44 changes current law

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds rural emergency hospitals to the definition of covered entities eligible for the 340B drug discount program.

• 42 U.S.C. 256b(a)(4)

  (P) An entity that is a rural emergency hospital (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(2) of the Social Security Act) that is owned or operated by a unit of State or local government, is a public or private non-profit corporation which is formally granted governmental powers by a unit of State or local government, or is a private non-profit rural emergency hospital which has a contract with a State or local government to provide health care services to low income individuals who are not entitled to benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act or eligible for assistance under the State plan under this title.

  This change allows rural emergency hospitals to participate in the 340B drug discount program, thereby increasing access to discounted drugs for these facilities.