In this episode of Healthcare Matters, Dr. Robert Popovian breaks down the 340B drug pricing program through the lens that matters most: what it means for patients. Prompted by Minnesota’s latest transparency report, he explains how a program originally created to support care for uninsured and underinsured patients has grown into one of the largest and least understood drug programs in the country. 
 
Dr. Popovian unpacks how the program works, why contract pharmacies have become such a major part of it, and what the newest data suggest about who is benefiting most. He also raises a critical question: if hospitals and affiliated entities are receiving deep discounts on medicines, why are so many patients still facing high out-of-pocket costs? 
 
This episode explores whether the 340B program is truly delivering on its original mission and why greater transparency, accountability, and patient benefit should be at the center of the conversation. 

Minnesota 340B Covered Entity Report 2025

Minnesota 340B Covered Entity Report 2024

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Amelia Violet Prouse.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

In this episode of Healthcare Matters, Dr. Robert&nbsp;Popovian&nbsp;breaks down the 340B drug pricing program through the lens that matters most: what it means for patients. Prompted by Minnesota&rsquo;s latest transparency report, he explains how a program originally created to support care for uninsured and underinsured patients has grown into one of the largest and least understood drug programs in the country.&nbsp; &nbsp; Dr.&nbsp;Popovian&nbsp;unpacks how the program works, why contract pharmacies have become such a major part of it, and what the newest data&nbsp;suggest&nbsp;about who is benefiting most. He also raises a critical question: if hospitals and affiliated entities are receiving deep discounts on medicines, why are so many patients still facing high out-of-pocket costs?&nbsp; &nbsp; This episode explores whether the 340B program is truly delivering on its original mission and why greater transparency, accountability, and patient benefit should be at the center of the conversation.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.health.state.mn.us/data/340b/docs/2025report.pdf">Minnesota 340B Covered Entity Report 2025</a>
<a href="https://www.health.state.mn.us/data/340b/docs/2024report.pdf">Minnesota 340B Covered Entity Report 2024</a>
Contact Our Hosts
Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: <a href="mailto:rpopovian@ghlf.org">rpopovian@ghlf.org</a>
A podcast series produced by Amelia Violet Prouse.
We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a>
Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 

Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 

The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 

www.ghlf.org

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 
Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 
The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 
www.ghlf.org

Healthcare Matters

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.

The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF.

 

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.
The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF.
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