Happy 2025! We’re excited to bring you the first Advocate Brief of the year. We apologize for the delay…or you’re welcome. We know many of you, like us at Archo, are digging yourselves out of a mountain of emails and getting back into the swing of real life after the extended break! We didn’t want this to get lost in the pile! Without further delay, let’s get into this month’s Advocate Brief.

340B Continues to Be Under The Microscope…

The 340B Drug Pricing Program is once again drawing scrutiny. Originally designed to help hospitals serve low-income patients, recent data reveals a troubling trend: Charity care in participating hospitals is declining, even as hospitals reap significant financial benefits. This raises questions about whether the program is achieving its intended purpose or being misused to bolster hospital revenues. Policymakers are debating reforms to ensure the program fulfills its mission of supporting underserved communities. As I’ve heard it put, we need a 340B and a 340C. 340B for Ryan White Care Centers, Rural Hospitals, Low-Income Area Facilities, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). 340C for everyone else that claims to provide for low-income patients.

With policy debates like these, economic considerations become increasingly critical. Let’s explore how costs shape the healthcare landscape.

Better outcomes and lower costs: the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) prove to be a smart investment!

Investing in SDOH initiatives is no longer just about doing the right thing—it’s about economic efficiency. Studies show that addressing factors like housing, education, and food security can improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Despite the clear benefits, many organizations struggle to balance short-term expenses with long-term gains. 2025 may be the year when forward-thinking healthcare providers fully integrate SDOH into their strategies, proving that good health begins outside the clinic. It may also be the year the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies work to address Social Determinants of Health and think about the patient outside of the flow of a prescription.

Beyond the numbers, the stories of people and communities bring these challenges to life. Let’s take a closer look.

Building a healthier future means addressing the barriers communities face today.

From rural South Carolina’s “Corridor of Shame” to urban centers nationwide, the lack of access to quality healthcare continues to impact marginalized groups disproportionately. Addressing these inequities requires targeted initiatives that include health literacy programs, enhanced patient education, and greater investments in underserved areas. Conversations about the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are tough but essential to ensuring everyone has a fair chance at wellness. Communities, healthcare providers, and all entities involved in patient care must collaborate to create lasting change.

With the human element in focus, it’s time to focus on the innovations driving healthcare forward.

From automation to AI, the future of healthcare is already here.

Artificial intelligence and automation are transforming healthcare workflows, from claims processing to patient education. The potential is enormous: AI-driven tools can simplify complex processes, reduce administrative costs, and enhance patient engagement. However, concerns about bias in algorithms and data privacy loom large. As we move into 2025, the challenge will be to ensure that technological advancements benefit all stakeholders equally, creating a smarter, more equitable healthcare system. At the same time, we must ensure that AI does not replace real human voices and stories. Patient Advocacy is more important than ever to keep the patient’s voice above the noise!

Thanks for joining us as we start the new year with fresh insights and ideas. Here’s to building a better 2025 together!

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See all references and posts at the following link for more: Advocate Brief Sources