Prescription Drug Negotiation Bill Passes… and Yet Some People Never Learn

by   |  January 18, 2007

When it comes to prescription drug prices, it seems as if some people think it’s best to let pharmaceutical companies charge what they see fit and continue raking in the profits. Fortunately, House members did not feel that way last Friday as they voted 255-170 in favor of a bill allowing Medicare to bargain for better prices for seniors. Shouldn’t Medicare’s 40 million beneficiaries be able to look for whoever offers the best price simply on account of their purchasing power. Apparently, that’s not how Pres. Bush likes it. He has already announced he will veto the initiative, claiming it “reduces convenience for beneficiaries and ultimately increases costs to taxpayers.” In other words, maintain the special interest law known as Medicare Part D which prohibits the government from negotiating with drug manufacturers. It looks as if the lessons of Nov. 7 still haven’t quite sunk in for some yet. The reason why millions of Americans voted for a new Congress was because they were fed of this doublespeak and constant catering to corporations. Let that be a reminder that even as working families keep scoring victories, there is still a lot of work to be done to make the 100 Hours Agenda a reality.