SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, alongside leaders from hospitals across Minnesota – and two of his colleagues from across the aisle – House Health Committee Co-Chair Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL – Apple Valley) advocated for bipartisan legislation to continue enforcement of the state’s 340B contract pharmacy law. The renewed push comes when many hospitals are facing dire financial circumstances, with some struggling to keep their doors open, most notably Hennepin County Medical Center.
"All Minnesotans, regardless if they live in an urban, suburban, or rural area, deserve access to health care when they need it, but many of our hospitals are on the brink,” Rep. Bierman said. “There are clearly large, complex problems and issues to work through regarding our hospitals and the soundness of our overall health care system. But taking care of 340B is a practical step we can take right now. All 67 House DFLers and 34 Senate Democrats support this measure. Thirteen Senate Republicans voted for it, and 10 House Republicans are co-authors. So doing the basic math, there is zero reason this hasn’t passed. I’m calling on Republican leaders to let this bipartisan bill advance so Minnesotans can continue to count on services from their hospitals when they need them, no matter where they live.”
The bill protects the ability of safety-net providers to access discounted drugs and offer more comprehensive health care services to the most vulnerable patients and communities. It strengthens state enforcement of the 340B law and ensures it can continue into the future.
The 340B program – enacted by Congress in 1992 – empowers health care providers to stretch scarce federal resources as far as possible to ensure underserved communities have access to emergency room care, labor and delivery, cancer infusion, intensive care, mental and behavioral health services, and more.
Several years ago, drugmakers began denying discounts to certain health care providers, both undermining the program and putting greater financial pressure on hospitals. In 2024, the Legislature – under DFL leadership – enacted a bill prohibiting 340B drug payment discrimination. However, the final agreement came with a sunset of July 1, 2027.
The Minnesota Senate passed the bipartisan companion legislation on April 7 to repeal the sunset. Despite bipartisan support for the measure, to date, Republican leadership has refused to allow the bill to advance in the House.
Video of today’s press conference is available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube Channel.