Lessons From a Pro in Advocating Effectively for 340B

Episode Description

As state legislatures shape up to be the primary battlegrounds for 340B in 2026, Memorial Healthcare Associate Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations Ben Frederick joins us to share what he’s learned about advocating for 340B.

Early Involvement “Crucial” as Focus Shifts to States

Ben notes that as states started becoming the primary venues for debating 340B legislation, lobbying efforts from both hospitals and pharmaceutical companies began increasing. This snowballed into deeper conversations — and misleading narratives — about the intent of 340B. Those conversations underscored the importance of hospitals lobbying early and frequently with key stakeholders to help set the record straight about 340B.

340B as Key to Hospital Resiliency

For Ben, one of the biggest points he comes back to is the importance of the flexibility of 340B savings. With safety-net hospitals operating on thin margins, the ability to access 340B and the freedom to use savings where the community needs them most is essential not just for serving patients but in many cases for keeping the lights on in the first place.

Know Your “Why” for Supporting 340B

When illustrating the importance of 340B, Ben told us about his “why” for 340B: When his father received a terminal cancer diagnosis, it was 340B funding that enabled his local hospital to invest in the top-notch cancer treatments and palliative care he received. That is how his father was able to receive his treatments five minutes from home instead of 45 minutes away. Those resources afforded Ben’s family a “dignity of local access” that 340B can provide patients in hospitals nationwide.

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