chronic illnesses

Exploitation of Federal Drug Program Is Hurting Southern California Patients

For people living with chronic illnesses—like HIV, hypertension, or arthritis—consistent access to medication is essential. But for many working-class families, affording prescriptions can feel like choosing between staying healthy and putting food on the table. A federal safety-net program known as 340B was created to ease that burden. It allows qualifying clinics and hospitals to purchase prescription medications at discounted prices and use the savings to improve care or reduce drug costs for patients. In its original form, 340B was a lifeline for low-income and medically underserved communities. But the program has gone off course. Over time, 340B has been hijacked—not by