Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, explains his vote against Senate Bill 5981, legislation expanding protections for Washington’s 340B Drug Pricing Program. Speaking on the Senate floor, Muzzall makes clear that his vote was not against helping hospitals. Instead, he argues that while the 340B program provides important financial support, expanding it does not address the underlying problems driving Washington’s health care crisis.

Muzzall discusses the financial challenges facing hospitals, the growing burden of uncompensated charity care, and why he believes Washington should pursue long-term, sustainable reforms rather than relying on increasingly complex funding mechanisms involving contract pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and large pharmacy chains. As ranking Republican on the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee, Muzzall remains committed to finding solutions that strengthen rural hospitals, improve access to care, and build a health care system that works for patients, providers, and taxpayers alike.