Oklahoma House Bill 2048 (HB 2048), known as the 340B Nondiscrimination Act, was introduced to protect healthcare providers participating in the federal 340B drug discount program from discriminatory practices by insurers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and drug manufacturers. Although the bill passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support, it was vetoed by Governor Kevin Stitt on May 17, 2025.
WHAT IS THE 340B PROGRAM
The 340B program allows eligible healthcare providers— such as community health centers, rural hospitals, and clinics—to purchase outpatient prescription drugs at significantly reduced prices. The savings enable these providers to offer affordable medications and services to underserved populations.
WHAT DID HB 2048 PROPOSE
HB 2048 aimed to: - Prohibit discriminatory reimbursement: Ensure that 340B entities are reimbursed at rates equal to non-340B entities for the same drugs.
- Prevent restrictive practices: Stop manufacturers and distributors from denying or limiting access to 340B drugs or interfering with 340B entities’ pharmacy contracts.
- Enforce compliance: Empower the Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner to enforce the act, including levying civil fines up to $10,000 per violation.
- Align with federal law: Include a federal preemption clause to ensure compatibility with federal regulations.
IMPACT ON BECKHAM COUNTY Beckham County, home to communities like Sayre and Elk City, relies on healthcare providers that participate in the 340B program to serve its rural population. Facilities such as the Beckham County Health Department and local clinics benefit from the program’s savings to offer essential services and medications to low-income and uninsured residents.
If HB 2048 had been enacted, it would have reinforced protections for these providers against discriminatory practices, ensuring continued access to affordable medications for the county’s residents.
GOVERNOR’S VETO AND OPPOSITION Governor Stitt vetoed HB 2048, stating that the 340B program requires federal reform to improve transparency and that it is not the legislature’s role to intervene in contractual disputes. Some organizations also opposed the bill, arguing that it could increase costs for employers and state healthcare plans and that the 340B program has been subject to misuse.
WHAT’S NEXT
Supporters of HB 2048 are advocating for a veto override to protect the 340B program’s integrity and ensure that rural communities like those in Beckham County continue to have access to affordable healthcare services.
Regardless of what happens at the Capitol, the outcome of HB 2048 will directly impact how rural communities like Beckham County access affordable care. For families relying on local clinics, this isn’t just policy — it’s personal. It’s the difference between picking up a prescription or going without, between a routine checkup and a health crisis that spirals. In places where resources are already stretched thin, every protection matters. Whether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or a patient, the future of the 340B program could shape how — and if — rural Oklahoma continues to care for its own.
