Patients across Michigan are rallying to urge state lawmakers to defeat HB 4878, a bill that would allow hospitals and corporate pharmacy benefit managers to abuse a critical safety net program meant to aid low-income and rural patients.
At its core, Michigan’s HB 4878 fails to curb the exploitation of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. This program was designed to provide discounted drugs to vulnerable populations, but large hospital systems and corporate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have turned it into a profit machine, pocketing billions while patients see none of the savings.
“It’s a total sham,” warns Terry Wilcox, the co-founder and Chief Mission Officer at Patients Rising. “HB 4878 allows big hospitals and PBMS to continue their billion-dollar grift, siphoning money and resources that should be helping patients access affordable medications.”
The 340B program was intended to support underserved communities by requiring drug manufacturers to offer discounts to qualifying hospitals and clinics. Today, many large entities are exploiting the program: buying drugs at steep discounts but charging patients full price. This leads to devastating consequences for patients, including:
- Higher bills at the pharmacy counter
- More expensive healthcare costs
- Restrictions on pharmacy choices
- Requirements to use out-of-state pharmacies
- Greater inequities in care
- Reduced access to treatments
Why Patients Oppose HB 4878
HB 4878 contains weak enforcement mechanisms that do nothing to stop the misuse of the 340B program. The bill lacks real teeth: no mandatory audits, no penalties for non-compliance, and no requirements for hospitals to prove they’re passing savings to patients.
Without robust oversight, hospitals can continue siphoning resources meant for charity care and community support.
HB 4878 provides zero meaningful transparency or accountability. Patients and taxpayers are left in the dark about how 340B dollars are spent. The bill doesn’t mandate reporting on patient benefits, expanded care, or fund allocation, allowing the status quo where profits soar while patient access suffers.
Michigan patients and taxpayers deserve real reform that ensures 340B funds are used as intended: to reduce costs for those who need it most, not to enrich corporate giants.
We’re urging Michigan lawmakers to stand with patients and vote NO on HB 4878.
3 Ways to Get Involved: Stop Michigan’s Bad Bill: HB 4878
- Contact Your Legislators: Call or email your Michigan state representatives. Find contact information for your state representatives here: https://www.house.mi.gov/#findARepresentativeForm. Tell them to vote NO on HB 4878.
- Submit Written Testimony: Send a letter urging lawmakers to “vote no.” Your voice matters! Email testimony to Hazel Campbell-Crawley, Committee Clerk: hcrawley@house.mi.gov.
- Mobilize Your Network: Share this alert with friends, family, and social networks. Encourage them to contact lawmakers, submit testimony, and spread the word using #StopHB4878 and #MIPatients. The more voices, the stronger our stand!
We’re urging Michigan lawmakers to stand with patients and vote NO on HB 4878