BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A mysterious political action committee, supported by Elon Musk, has launched a campaign against conservative Republican lawmakers in different states due to their backing of a federal drug pricing initiative. The legislators appear to be taken aback by the unexpected targeting from the group known as Building America’s Future, as evidenced by their confusion in response to the attack ad titled “Trump Underminers.” The ad criticizes the federal 340B program, claiming it is in disarray and urging for President Trump’s intervention to rectify the situation.
The ad singles out five lawmakers from Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Tennessee, alleging that they are pushing for the expansion of the program. This move marks one of the initial instances post-Trump administration of a Musk-affiliated group confronting individual Republican figures at the state level. The legislators mentioned in the ad express their intention to assist rural hospitals and express bewilderment at the criticism and why they are specifically targeted by a group that receives substantial funding from Musk.
The ad’s assertions and the enigma surrounding them are explored further:
What is the 340B program?
According to the American Hospital Association, the 340B program mandates drug manufacturers to offer discounts to hospitals catering to uninsured and low-income patients, with the initiative extended to rural hospitals in 2010. The ad claims that certain Republicans are attempting to expand the program against Trump’s interests, alleging that it covers expenses related to gender transitions for minors, abortion services, and healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
Nebraska state Senator Brian Hardin, mentioned in the ad, refutes these allegations.
The program has been a focal point of a protracted lobbying battle between hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, each lobbying lawmakers to maintain or modify the program.
What are the lawmakers’ perspectives?
The doubts raised by the ad prompt Senator Hardin to speculate if pharmaceutical companies are behind the orchestrated campaign.
Representative Jon Nelson from North Dakota dismisses the ad’s claims except for the correct spelling of his name, emphasizing his efforts to sustain the 340B program in its current form.
Nelson suggests that pharmaceutical companies aim to eliminate the program due to their reluctance to sell drugs at discounted rates.
Senator Stephen Meredith of Kentucky clarifies that his proposed legislation is unrelated to the 340B program but rather addresses the unfair practices of pharmaceutical manufacturers towards healthcare providers serving economically disadvantaged populations.
Like his counterparts, Senator Hardin maintains that he is being targeted for his bill aiming to safeguard Nebraska hospitals’ participation in the program. The ad has been circulating in Nebraska for approximately three weeks.
The bill to advance the building project remains unharmed despite receiving unanimous support in the first round of debate last week. The motives behind this group’s actions are unclear as Building America’s Future did not respond to requests for information. Similarly, a representative from another political group funded by Musk acknowledged a phone call but did not address any inquiries. Efforts to communicate with Building America’s Future’s X profile were unsuccessful. The PhRMA pharmaceutical trade group did not provide an immediate response to an email seeking comments on the ad. The ad has been broadcast in markets in Nashville, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska, according to the media tracking firm AdImpact. Building America’s Future is also responsible for disseminating misleading ads and text messages to voters in an upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election. The group was the sole financial supporter of a political campaign that ran conflicting ads last year in Michigan and Pennsylvania regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ stance on Israel. In 2023, then-Governor Doug Burgum signed a law prohibiting gender-affirming surgeries and treatments for transgender children.
