The State Circler

By: Rev. Delman Coates, PhD., Senior Pastor, Mt. Ennon Baptist Church, Clinton, MD – January 29, 2026 11:36am

_{Image of Prescription Drugs Spilled Out onto a White Surface}¹

As Senior Pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, I walk alongside families every day who struggle with health challenges made worse by the crushing cost of prescription drugs. Here in Prince George’s County—one of the most diverse and vibrant communities in Maryland—we have also seen stark disparities in health outcomes. It is precisely for communities like ours that the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program was created. And it is precisely why we must protect it.

The 340B program allows safety net hospitals and community health centers to purchase prescription drugs at discounted rates, stretching limited resources further. Those savings fund cancer care, mental health services, and treatment for chronic illnesses that disproportionately impact our neighbors. In a county that continues to face high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, this program is not an abstract policy—it is a lifeline.

But right now, 340B is under attack. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are restricting contract pharmacies, limiting hospitals to just one within a 40-mile radius. In Southern Maryland, where reliable public transportation is limited, this would force patients to travel far outside their neighborhoods simply to fill a prescription. For patients of MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton or UM Capital Region Medical Center in Largo, this could mean seniors and working families driving long distances just to obtain insulin or cancer medications.

Even more troubling, drug companies are pushing to replace 340B’s upfront discount system with a rebate model. That may sound like a technical change, but its consequences are devastating. Hospitals like MedStar Southern Maryland and UM Capital Region already operate on tight margins while serving high numbers of low-income patients. Forcing them to cover drug costs up front would drain resources that today support charity care, emergency services, and community health programs.

The threat does not stop there. In Congress, legislation such as H.R. 1 would reduce Medicaid rolls dramatically. Here in Maryland, thousands of low-income residents—including students and working families—would lose coverage. For hospitals in Prince George’s County, which already provide significant levels of Medicaid care, this would mean more uncompensated care, leading to further financial strain and cuts to local services. The ripple effect is predictable: reduced access to specialists, fewer community programs, and greater inequities in care.

As a pastor, I believe this is a moral crisis as much as a policy one. The Bible calls us to care for “the least of these.” In 2025, that means ensuring that no one in Clinton, Upper Marlboro, Suitland, or anywhere in our region must choose between paying rent and paying for their medicine.

I urge our Maryland delegation in Congress, as well as state leaders, to defend the integrity of 340B. Reject attempts to cap contract pharmacies in ways that leave communities stranded. Oppose efforts to convert discounts into rebates that only serve drug manufacturers. And resist legislation that strips Medicaid coverage from those who need it most.

Prince George’s County has long been on the frontlines of health equity struggles. Protecting the 340B program is one of the most practical and powerful ways to advance fairness, justice, and compassion in health care. Our community—and our values—depend on it

1. Image from Clinical Advisor ↩︎