A March 2018 study by published by the American Hospital Association found that for 2015, the most recent year with data available, tax exempt hospitals participating in the 340B drug savings program provided $51.7 billion dollars in total benefits to their communities.
The 340B drug savings program was created by congress to expand access to prescription drugs while reinforcing vital services in vulnerable communities. The program is funded by drug company discounts, not federal dollars, and constitutes less than 3% of the $450 billion in yearly US drug purchases. The benefits of this program stretch to everything from disadvantaged patients to wellness clinics; nutritional services; mental health clinics; and the addition of nurses, social workers, and transportation services; all of which would otherwise be unavailable.
Read the report here.