Garden State Times

A new “patient advocacy” organization, Patients Come First, today launched in New Jersey, announcing longtime New Jersey communications professional Jeannette Hoffman as the group’s executive director.

“There’s nothing more personal than someone’s care plans and treatment approaches should ultimately be a decision left to patient and their families,” said Hoffman. “I’m looking forward to representing the Garden State and working with the group to ensure that New Jersey patients and consumers are the ultimate decision makers and beneficiaries of our nation’s healthcare system.” 

The PCF website says it will “strive to put patients at the forefront of healthcare” through “advocacy, science, education, and collaboration” on issues including prescription drug payments and discounts, co-pay assistance, government drug price negotiations, and the federal 340b drug discount program, among others.

The 340b program was created in 1992 to provide discounted healthcare, including prescription drugs, to healthcare providers which, in turn, are supposed to pass the savings along to low-income patients.

Participating hospitals, however, “often extend their 340B discounts to clinics in well-off communities, where they can charge privately insured patients more than those on Medicaid,” reported the Wall Street Journal.

There are 22 New Jersey hospitals participating in that program, reported Garden State Times. 

In addition to running a public affairs firm, Marathon Public Affairs, Hoffman previously worked as vice president of government affairs and communications for The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey. She also previously worked as an aide to former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R-N.J.).

Patients Come First has also launched groups in California and Missouri.