How is the 340B program affecting hospital budgets and drug pricing in 2026?

In 2026, the article says 340B has become a major hospital budget issue because discounted purchases hit $100 billion in 2025 and hospitals made up 87% of that volume. It argues the real challenge is turning the large spread between market prices and 340B acquisition costs into stable, defensible savings amid compliance, inventory, and manufacturer policy pressures.