In this episode of 340B Insight we speak with Chuck Beams, executive director of pharmacy services, business development, and government relations at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC), about how the 340B program helps EAMC serve its rural community. We also provide 340B news updates regarding the CMS Medicare Part B cuts to 340B hospitals and new 340B research. 

A Diverse Patient Population: EAMC is located in Opelika, Alabama, and serves 11 counties, totaling a population of nearly half a million. Although it is located near Auburn University, it serves many underserved, rural patients who live in nearby communities.

Support Center Amid Natural Disasters: In March 2019, eastern Alabama experienced a devastating tornado that left 23 people dead. In the aftermath, EAMC held the community together with its emergency medical response and social services such as discounted medical bills.

Using 340B Savings to Serve the Underserved: EAMC is one of a dwindling number of hospitals in the area. The 340B program is a key reason why EAMC has survived. Chuck’s team has leveraged 340B savings to provide uncompensated care to uninsured and low-income patients, a meds-to-beds program to ensure patients have the medications they need at discharge,  mobile health services, and access to pharmacists in the emergency department,. 

The Importance of Advocating for 340B: Chuck shares the importance of advocating for the program at both the federal and state levels to ensure policymakers understand the value it brings to patients and the rural hospitals that care for them. 

Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You can also stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you’d like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].

Episode Resources:

1. 340B Health OPPS Resource Center
2. Research Brief: 340B HOSPITALS TREAT A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF CANCER PATIENTS IN UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
3. Faces of 340B: Chuck Beams 
4. East Alabama Medical Center