New Infographics Expose How 340B Program Fails to Prevent Medical Debt Crisis

ADAP Advocacy has released two new infographics that critically examine the relationship between the 340B Drug Pricing Program and medical debt in the United States. These visual tools, part of the organization's "340B Too Big to Fail" advocacy campaign, highlight significant disparities between the program's original purpose and its current financial impact on patients.

The first infographic, titled "340B Too Big to Fail – Medical Debt – Part 1," demonstrates how the 340B program was initially designed to help low-income patients access healthcare services. Despite the program's massive growth to $66 billion in size, primarily benefiting hospitals, medical debt continues to burden many Americans. Most concerning is the finding that the majority of this debt is owed to hospitals that qualify for 340B program participation.

The second infographic, "340B Too Big to Fail – Medical Debt – Part 2," documents how many 340B-participating hospitals employ aggressive, predatory debt collection practices that often damage consumer credit reports. These hospitals are choosing not to set reasonable prices or offer robust financial assistance programs, instead opting to sue patients rather than provide free charity care as required by law.

The infographic series is available for download at https://www.adapadvocacy.org/publications.html#i and serves as part of ADAP Advocacy's ongoing national campaign questioning whether the 340B Drug Pricing Program has become "too big to fail." The organization's findings suggest that while the program has expanded significantly, its benefits are not adequately reaching the patients it was designed to serve, resulting in continued financial hardship for vulnerable populations.

This publication comes at a critical time when medical debt remains a leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States, raising important questions about the accountability and oversight of federal healthcare programs. The infographics provide visual evidence of systemic issues within the 340B program that warrant further examination by policymakers and healthcare advocates to ensure charitable programs truly benefit those in need.