On June 11, 2024, the Times West Virginian ran a story titled “Federal drug pricing program 340B important for rural health care providers in W.Va.” which articulates and underscores the significant connection between 340B and rural health care. RWC-340B Officers Emily Blaiklock and Bill Keeton were featured in the story and quoted extensively.

Read the full article here: https://www.timeswv.com/news/tuesday_news/federal-drug-pricing-program-340b-important-for-rural-health-care-providers-in-w-va/article_43474f42-2771-11ef-9f93-c7dc6456ca8e.html

“[340B] allows me to stretch scarce federal dollars much farther without an additional burden on the taxpayers.” – Emily Blaiklock, vice president of Pharmacy, Positive Impact Health Centers and RWC-340B Officer

“The money freed up by lower drug costs helps provide wraparound services needed to effectively treat all the needs of rural patients.” – Bill Keeton, chief advocacy officer, Vivent Health and RWC-340B Officer

“It’s doctors, dentists, nurses, behavioral health and mental health providers. It’s social service providers and programs like food pantries and housing programs and case management. We’re able to do all of that with the investment that’s being made in us through the federal programs, and the 340B program.” – Bill Keeton

“The 340B program provides the flexibility health care providers need to target their care effectively” – Emily Blaiklock

“By saving money on those drugs, the organization can provide scarce resources to a lot of underinsured patients.” – Esteban Fernandez, Reporter for Times West Virginian

“I can tell you that there would be a lot of patients that would not receive any form of health care in our areas in Georgia if we did not have continued access to 340B program.” – Bill Keeton

“The money freed up by lower drug costs helps provide wraparound services needed to effectively treat all the needs of rural patients.” – Bill Keeton

“Individuals who are in rural areas like Wisconsin, Georgia or West Virginia may not have access to infectious disease physicians who would be able to provide high quality care for people with HIV.” – Bill Keeton