Riley Gaines, an ambassador for Independent Women’s Voice, has raised concerns regarding the misuse of federal 340B program funds by certain states. She alleged that these funds are being used to subsidize unregulated gender-transition procedures on minors. Gaines made this statement in a social media post on X.
"Blue states are using taxpayer dollars to fund unregulated child mutilation procedures with the 340B program," said Gaines, Advocate.
The 340B Drug Pricing Program was established in 1992 with the aim of providing discounted medications to hospitals and clinics serving low-income or rural patients. The intention behind the program is to enable safety-net providers to extend limited federal resources and improve access to care. However, as the program has grown rapidly, it has faced increased scrutiny concerning oversight and spending transparency.
According to available data, participation in the 340B Drug Pricing Program has expanded significantly over the past two decades. The number of covered entities grew from approximately 8,100 in 2000 to over 53,000 registered sites by 2022. This includes hospitals, community health centers, and contract pharmacies. The growth has added complexity to the program, making it challenging for regulators to ensure compliance and verify that discounts benefit low-income patients directly.
Total purchases under the program reached $53.7 billion in 2022, reflecting a 22% increase from the previous year. This rapid escalation has led policymakers and researchers to express concerns that the program may be deviating from its original mission of supporting low-income patients towards broader institutional benefits.
Gaines is recognized as a 12-time All-American swimmer and an advocate for women’s rights and fairness in sports. After her tenure at the University of Kentucky, she became a vocal proponent on policy issues related to gender, competition, and free speech. As an Ambassador for Independent Women’s Voice (IWV), she works with a national policy organization focused on advancing women's equality, promoting government accountability, and defending freedom of expression.
