340B & Medicaid Receive Media Coverage

The MHA received media coverage the week of March 10 on the 340B program and potential federal Medicaid funding cuts with outlets including MichMash, Crain’s Grand Rapids Business and 9&10 News.

MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on the March 14 episode of the MichMash podcast where he discussed MHA advocacy efforts to oppose Medicaid funding cuts, passage of Senate Bills 94 and 95 by the Michigan Senate that safeguard the 340B program and the healthcare workforce. The interview was conducted by hosts Cheyna Roth and Zach Gorchow. MichMash is produced by WDET Detroit Public Radio in collaboration with Gongwer News Service and is part of the NPR Network.

Crain’s Grand Rapids also published an article March 10 about the 340B legislation moving through the Senate. Peters and Elizabeth Kutter, senior director of advocacy, MHA, are quoted in the piece.

“This bill prevents drug manufacturers from continuing to issue arbitrary restrictions on 340B eligible Federally Qualified Health Centers and hospitals,” said Peters. “We continue to be grateful for the Senate’s leadership and collaboration in recognizing the need for strong, quality health care providers over out-of-state prescription drug interest groups.”

9&10 News aired a story March 11 that looked at the impact on Michigan if funding cuts to Medicaid are implemented. MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel was interviewed and appears in the story.

“We know that work requirements are popular as a concept, but really, we need to focus on people being healthy so that they can work, as opposed to working so that they can become healthy,” said Appel.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.