Riley Gaines, NCAA All-American swimmer and activist, said the federal 340B program designed to assist low-income patients is instead funding inappropriate medical procedures on children and extravagant overseas expansions at institutions like the University of Miami Health System, as issue increasing in relevance in Georgia.
“The 340B program was meant to help vulnerable patients, but it’s being abused by hospitals like the University of Miami,” said Gaines. “They use taxpayer dollars to cut healthy body parts off minors & bankroll lavish projects overseas. The 340B program desperately needs real reform.”
Gaines reposted an advertisement from Save Our States that accuses the University of Miami Health System of misusing subsidized funds for luxury upgrades and executive perks while neglecting core services. The ad highlights new lobby renovations and an Abu Dhabi expansion as examples of resources diverted from patient care. This reflects broader concerns about accountability in taxpayer-supported health programs.
According to a report by the Alliance for Integrity and Reform of 340B, the University of Miami Hospital and Clinics maintains 248 contract pharmacy arrangements, with 22% involving out-of-state pharmacies. Such expansions allow hospitals to generate significant revenue from discounted drugs without necessarily benefiting local low-income patients. The Floridian Press has documented similar abuses among Florida hospitals profiting from the 340B program.
A U.S. Senate report from the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee revealed that major hospital systems nationwide generated hundreds of millions in 340B revenue without passing savings to patients. The investigation found widespread exploitation by hospitals and pharmacy benefit managers. Overall sales through the program reached $106 billion in 2022.
In Georgia, 340B hospitals have 3,343 for-profit contract-pharmacy arrangements (1,685 out of state), while only 17% of in-state 340B contract pharmacies are located in ZIP codes below the state median income—suggesting the discount revenue is often positioned to maximize margin rather than directly lower costs for the neediest patients.
Gaines competed as a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer for the University of Kentucky before transitioning into advocacy after her experience at the 2022 NCAA Championships. She now focuses on fairness in women’s sports and healthcare policy issues according to her official website.
