RI Lawmakers Honored For Protecting Affordable Prescription Costs

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Health Center Association presented its John H. Chafee Healthcare Leadership Award to State Sen. Bridget Valverde and State Rep. Jon D. Brien for their successful passage of the Defending Affordable Prescription Drug Costs Act this year.

The legislation, which became law in June and took effect Oct. 1, protects a funding source for many community hospitals, clinics and other health care agencies by prohibiting insurers, pharmacy benefits managers and other payors from discriminating against them for purchasing prescriptions through the federal 340 B discount program.

“The 340 B Program is complicated and difficult to explain," Elena Nicolella, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Center Association, said in a media release.

Valverde and Brien "not only clarified the program and explained why the legislation was beneficial to Rhode Islanders, but they exhibited the passion needed to get the bill passed!" Nicolella said. "The community health centers are already benefiting from the law as drug manufacturers begin to comply."

The award "recognizes efforts to strengthen and sustain Rhode Island’s community health centers following the model of U.S. Sen. John H. Chafee," according to the release, and was presented to Brien, I-Woonsocket, North Smithfield, and Valverde, D-North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown, by Providence Community Health Centers CEO Merrill Thomas at the Rhode Island Health Center Association’s annual meeting, held Thursday at the Providence Marriott.

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