Sanders takes aim at high drug prices

[Dem2]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) on Monday introduced a bill aimed at lowering the taxpayer burden for rising generic drug prices.

Brand-name drug manufacturers are required by law to pay a rebate to Medicaid when their drug prices rise faster than inflation. Sanders and Cummings’ bill would extend this requirement to generic drug manufacturers.

Sanders, who is challenging Hillary Clinton from the left for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, has long made curbing drug prices part of his push to reform what he calls an overly-costly healthcare system. He has also pushed for government-run, “single-payer” health insurance for everyone.

“It is unacceptable that Americans pay, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs,” Sanders said in a statement. “For years, generic drugs have made it possible for people to buy the medicine they need at lower prices. We need to make certain that generics remain affordable.”

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http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/242415-bernie-sanders-bill-takes-aim-at-high-drug-prices

[randys1]

1. The big fat wet kiss to the RX industry by the Bush administration is something very few idiot cons

know about.

I was talking to some one day, former owners of the best darn Chinese food ever, Cantonese style.

Anyway when I told them what W did with Part D, the obscene profits handed to the RX industry, they were in shock.

Had no clue.

The republican party is a scam, these are not politicians, they are criminals, every single last one of them.

[kenfrequed]

3. Yup

The whole Bush drug benefit (part D) was to head off any real reform, regulation, or price controls. We desperately need regulation to assure the health of those among us most in need of medication. Too many elderly people need to choose between medication and food.

Also, we need national regulations on the 'prior authorization' rules that insurance companies use to delay or deny coverage of necessary medications.

[Hoyt]

4. Guess you never saw feeble elderly people cutting pills in thirds before the drug program

was enacted in 2005. Worse they just went without.

The drug program was flawed, and Obama has improved it. But up until 2005, no one - even Democrats -- seemed to care.

I do think Sanders' bill is another improvement.

We need to start aggressively negotiating prices under Medicare.

[randys1]

6. still do, my wife works in pharmacy, not the point, OBVIOUSLY

It was NOT done to help the elderly, it was done to give obscene profits to the RX industry

[Hoyt]

7. Well, it does help the elderly. That is the point. Like saying Social Security helps grocery stores.

The fact tax monies go to pay premiums, is a forum of wealth redistribution. That's a good thing.

[BrotherIvan]

2. I hope those who are paying ridiculous drug prices hear about this

It's price gouging and it should be illegal.

[MaggieD]

5. Tis the season....

..... to intro bills that have no chance of passing. Yes, it is officially election season! Woo hoo!