Negotiating Drug Prices
I am baffled. Someone explain to me why this is happening:
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told reporters he would pursue legislation to lower drug prices, but will not pursue the Democratic proposal on negotiations.
“I don’t want to mess with the government negotiating prices with the private sector,” he said
What am I missing? Medicare D was another enormous tax for everyone and yet Republicans have never wanted the government to negotiate drug prices with Big Pharma. WTF? Is this because they are being supported by Big Pharma on the the back end? God I hate politics.
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Dear All, Government is partially own ped by Big Pharma, true!
But politicians are also greatly owned by the Damned Greedy Seniors, whose voting bloc will not allow any serious entitlement reform, and who must be courted and loved at all times.
Yes, Big Pharma loved Medicare Part-D as much as the GOP loved their campaign cash. But Republicans (and Dems) looove giveaways to retirees. I went to D.C. to lobby against this crap; was given the justification by then Rep. (later Ga. governor) Nathan Deal that if doctors prescribe medicines for seniors that they can’t afford, the of course gov’t had to step in to help! I always wondered whether he came up with that on his own, or whether a helpful drug rep wrote it for him. What a perfect vehicle for spending money!
I’ve always called Medicare Part-D George W. Bush’s “Free Drugs for Old Peoples’ Votes Program” and that’s exactly what it was and is.
Slap Big Pharma, they deserve it. But they are no more guilty than the corrupt pols (redundant) and the GDS.
The mission of a corporation is to make money. Big Pharma is doing what one would expect any business to do- take steps to make their business more profitable. Big Pharma is a success story from this perspective.
The government’s mission is supposed to be that of the authority that makes rules, regulations and laws that are in the best interests of the people. The government is a failure from this perspective.
Since we have a two party political system, the question becomes which party (neither are perfect but a binary choice is all we’ve got) will best serve the interest of the people instead of the interests of the corporations?
Imo, corporations are not people too….
“Medicare D was another enormous tax for everyone and yet Republicans have never wanted the government to negotiate drug prices with Big Pharma. WTF? Is this because they are being supported by Big Pharma on the the back end?”- Yes, absolutely.
This a partisan view on how government became beholden to the corporations:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2019/01/11/feature/why-is-congress-so-dumb/?utm_term=.c61599ed48a1
This is the tragic outcome in the healthcare industry:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/01/07/feature/insulin-is-a-lifesaving-drug-but-it-has-become-intolerably-expensive-and-the-consequences-can-be-tragic/?utm_term=.9247af5c0334
Imo, Charles Grassley has always been a tool.
Perfectly said, JRDO. Congress is owned lock, stock and barrel by Pharma. Until the tentacles of these lobbyists are removed, we shall never have lower drug prices. This country is a disgrace with regard to health care and pharmaceuticals. Just a total horror.
Yep, both parties too.
Government is run by corporations.
Here is a partisan view on how it happened:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2019/01/11/feature/why-is-congress-so-dumb/?utm_term=.53620613fe03
Here is a medical example of the tragic consequences:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/01/07/feature/insulin-is-a-lifesaving-drug-but-it-has-become-intolerably-expensive-and-the-consequences-can-be-tragic/?utm_term=.9247af5c0334