Defending 340B Together: How Coalitions Are Protecting Care on the Frontlines

Alan Witchey, CEO of The Damien Center and member of RWC-340B, on what it takes to protect care and the coalitions making it possible

At The Damien Center in Indianapolis, Alan Witchey leads one of the nation’s largest HIV/AIDS service organizations, where access to care is a daily consideration for patients with complex medical and social needs.

A longtime partner in our Together for 340B digital advocacy campaign and a member of the Ryan White Clinics for 340B Access (RWC-340B) coalition, Witchey works at the intersection of patient care and national advocacy. RWC-340B is a national coalition of Ryan White providers working together to protect and strengthen the 340B program.

At The Damien Center, 340B makes it possible to deliver the full spectrum of care patients rely on, including services that often fall outside traditional healthcare models. Witchey points to transportation, re-engagement of patients who fall out of care, and access to mental health and substance use treatment as just some of the ways 340B supports long-term health outcomes. Even basic needs like food, he notes, are often part of the care ecosystem enabled by the program.

Building Stronger Programs Through Coalition

When Witchey and his team began building their 340B program, they turned to peers who had already navigated the same challenges. Through RWC-340B, they found a network of providers sharing real-world guidance on compliance, operations, and implementation.

That exchange of knowledge has helped Ryan White clinics across the country build stronger, more effective programs. Learning from more experienced providers gave Witchey and his team critical insight at a formative stage, helping them avoid pitfalls and build a more sustainable model from the start.

A Changing Landscape

Over the past decade, Witchey has seen a significant shift in how 340B is understood and supported. What was once a broadly supported, bipartisan program has become increasingly politicized.

He describes a growing divide shaped by misinformation and competing interests, where broader battles between hospitals and pharmaceutical companies have left clinics caught in the middle, often as collateral damage.

Why Collective Action Matters

As challenges to 340B continue at both the state and national levels, Witchey emphasizes the importance of coordinated advocacy. In states like Indiana, where opposition persists, protecting the program requires sustained effort across organizations and coalitions.

Groups like RWC-340B and CV340B play a central role in that work, bringing together providers to share knowledge, align strategy, and advocate for the communities they serve.

Looking Ahead

Despite ongoing challenges, Witchey remains optimistic about the program’s future and the people working to protect it. Through his advocacy, he has connected with clinic leaders across the country, building relationships that have strengthened both his work and the broader movement.

That sense of shared purpose extends far beyond any one organization. Across the country, coalitions like RWC-340B and partners like CV340B are bringing providers together to defend 340B and the patients who depend on it.

If this story resonates with you, we invite you to stand with us to defend the 340B program and help ensure communities across the country have access to essential healthcare.