Temple University's Center for Public Health Law Research released a study September 24 reviewing financial-assistance policies at 75 hospitals in the federal 340B program as of July 1, 2026. Only 13 clearly described pharmaceutical assistance or how patients could receive discounts on needed medicines.
The sample focused on large hospitals by revenue, including the largest in each state and additional large facilities. It is not a random survey of every 340B hospital. The research was funded by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, an industry group with an interest in the program's policy debate.
The finding concerns what policies disclose, not a count of every patient helped or refused aid. The researchers also found that 31 hospitals in the sample did not detail an appeals process for aid denials. Silence in a posted policy can make help harder to find, but it does not establish the outcome of a particular application.
Patients facing an outpatient-drug bill can ask both the pharmacy and hospital about assistance and request the written criteria and appeal route. Keep hospital aid separate from a drug manufacturer's assistance program, which may have different conditions. The new study supports asking better questions, not assuming all 340B medicine is automatically free or that every participating hospital must provide the same discount.