Riley Gaines, a political activist and former NCAA swimmer, has expressed concerns about the 340B drug discount program. She claims that large hospitals are exploiting the program to enrich themselves and fund controversial procedures and services. Gaines made these remarks on X.
“The 340B program has been exploited by big hospitals to use taxpayer dollars to line their pockets, perform child butchery, and pay for healthcare for illegals,” said Gaines, Director.
A 2023 analysis published in Health Affairs Scholar highlights the significant growth of the 340B program since its inception in 1992. The program now includes thousands of covered entities and contract pharmacies. While it aims to support safety-net providers serving vulnerable populations, researchers have pointed out that the financial incentives may not always align with patient benefits. Concerns persist regarding how savings are utilized and whether patients experience reduced drug costs.
According to a 2023 summary by RWC-340B, a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report emphasized ongoing concerns about insufficient oversight of the 340B program. The report found that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) lacks clear authority to ensure compliance with program requirements, and many covered entities do not fully report how savings are used. These findings reinforce calls for improved transparency and accountability.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) reported that in New York, 113 hospitals participate in the 340B program, maintaining over 6,000 contracts with pharmacies nationwide. However, only 24% of those contract pharmacies are located in medically underserved areas, while 86% of participating hospitals deliver below-average levels of charity care. This situation has raised concerns about whether the program effectively serves its intended low-income patient population.
Gaines is a 12-time NCAA All-American and former Southeastern Conference (SEC) Scholar-Athlete of the Year who competed for the University of Kentucky swim team. Since retiring from competitive swimming, she has become a prominent political activist focused on issues related to women’s sports and public policy.
