Proving once again that some cows are really sacred.
I have long maintained that if anyone is looking for proof of corruption and malfeasance in our government, you never have to look farther than the fact that we have legislatively prohibited ourselves from negotiating drug discounts in a government run healthcare program, Medicare. And who pays the increased tab? Why the American taxpayer of course, who right this moment is being told how hard things are and how we will all have to share the sacrifice.
The LA Times reports today that Drugmakers try to sidestep demands for discounts
"House Democrats seem to have less sway with the White House than the pharmaceutical industry," complained one senior congressional aide, who asked not to be identified discussing intra-party tensions.
Drug makers, who are among the capital's biggest political spenders, beat back similar proposals in 2009 and 2010, after PhRMA struck a deal with Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and the White House to limit how much the industry would contribute to Democrats' heath overhaul.
The story goes on to say that negotiated drug prices are estimated to save 112 billion over the next decade.
But too bad, sick and poor Medicare users. The option to negotiate was traded away by the White House and their handpicked point person Max Baucus (not me saying this although I have said it over and over, but the LA Times saying it in this story) Maybe all those folk talking about how hard fought the healthcare reform was can acknowledge that the fighting was going in the wrong direction - FOR the healthcare and Pharma industries and away from the taxpayers.
Did I mention sick and poor Medicare users? Who do you imagine are the poorest Medicare users? That's right, those who also qualify for Medicaid. Now who else do you think is not allowed to get discounted drugs even though Medicaid patients normally do? The ones who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, meaning that not only are they sick and poor they are OLD as well! And Pharma managed to get them excluded even though (or perhaps because) they have the highest healthcare costs in the country. Great job reformers!
And these same stellar performers are now telling us all, poor, sick ,old, disabled to BUCK UP! Share the sacrifice!
Wouldn't you love to know who exactly we are sharing all this sacrifice with?