OPCA Applauds Passage of HB 3409, Which Protects the 340B Program in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. - June 18, 2025 - PRLog -- The Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA) extends its sincere gratitude to the Oregon Legislature for the passage of House Bill 3409, which improves 340B transparency and compliance, reduces administrative burden, and most importantly protects Oregonians' access to affordable medications through the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Governor Tina Kotek signed the bill into law yesterday, June 17, 2025.

340B is a federal program which allows certain safety-net health care providers to purchase medications at significantly reduced prices and reinvest those savings into programs and services that expand access to comprehensive high-quality primary, behavioral, and oral health care for all Oregonians.

HB 3409 improves transparency while reducing the administrative burden for both Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the community pharmacies they work with to ensure Oregonians can access lifesaving medications. The bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from mandating that prescription drug reimbursement claims include an additional modifier which identifies the drugs as 340B eligible in exchange for reporting data to a centralized clearinghouse. At a time when pharmacies are closing at an alarming rate – putting Oregon just ahead of Alaska in terms of pharmacy access – it is essential that Oregon reduce the administrative steps associated with pharmacy claim processing. HB 3409 will allow pharmacists to focus on the task at hand – filling prescriptions – rather than PBM mandated paperwork while at the same time improving 340B program transparency and compliance.

Oregon is not alone in this approach. Eleven other states have already banned PBM 340B claim identifier requirements.

OPCA Director of Government Affairs Marty Carty emphasized the bill's significance. "HB 3409 is a crucial step in strengthening the 340B program here in Oregon to align with proposed federal reforms. By eliminating unnecessary claim modifiers, the legislature reduced administrative burden for FQHCs and their pharmacy partners and improved transparency and compliance."

The passage of HB 3409 reflects Oregon FQHCs' commitment to health care access for all and a commitment to data integrity and transparency. OPCA is grateful to Representative Rob Nosse (D-Portland) and Senator Deb Patterson (D-Salem) for sponsoring the bill, as well as Representatives Cyrus Javadi (R-Tillamook) and Ed Diehl (R-Scio) and Senators Wlnsvey Campos (D-Aloha) and Lisa Reynolds (D-Portland) for championing health care access for all Oregonians!

Learn more about OPCA: www.orpca.org