New Legislation to Really (not pretend) Curb Drug Prices

[cesanon]

They are preparing new laws in the house of representatives with real teeth to curb drug prices. to the effect change.

Here is proof it is for real: “The proposals from Senator Sanders would wreak havoc on the U.S. health care system,” the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the industry’s top U.S. lobbying group (the Pharma industry is the highest profit margin industry in the world, by far)

1. Forbes: Progressive Democrats Have A Plan To Drastically Lower Drug Prices For Medicare Beneficiaries.

forbes.com/sites/nancyaltma...

The Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019, sponsored by Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and 122 of his fellow Democrats, is currently pending before the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.

The bill authorizes the government to negotiate drug prices. If a drug company refuses to negotiate in good faith, the government can offer a competitive license to another, so that prices can be set by competition, not by monopoly.

It is important to recognize how moderate this approach is. A recent study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that the development of every single one of the 210 new drugs approved by the federal government from 2010 through 2016 involved research funded by the National Institutes of Health. Given that our tax dollars fund the research, we could publicly manufacture prescription drugs or contract with a private manufacturer to do so.

2. Rueters: Sen. Sanders, Rep. Cummings introduce bill to lower U.S. drug prices

reuters.com/article/us-usa-...

The proposed legislation, which has several co-sponsors among Democrats in the House of Representatives and in the Republican-led Senate, is comprised of three bills that aim to curb drug costs.

The Sanders and Cummings bill would peg U.S. prescription drug prices to the median price from five countries - Canada, Britain, France, Germany and Japan - where drug costs are typically far lower because of government price controls.

The bill would also allow the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate prices in Medicare Part D, a program that helps Medicare beneficiaries pay for self-administered medicines like those purchased at drugstores.

The proposal would also end a ban that keeps Americans from buying medicines at lower prices from Canada and other countries.

3. Here is what you can do.

This legislation will easily pass in the house. It is likely to be blocked by Republicans in the senate.

If you have a Republican Senator, call him or her and tell them you always vote for them, but on this you are a single issue voter. If they

(A) directly or indirectly obstruct this legislation, or

(B) fail to threaten Majority Leader McConnell with legislative insurrection if he slow walks this legislation or blocks a vote on it,

THEN...

(C) You will for sure vote against them next election, regardless of who is running against them, regardless of anything. PERIOD.

That is language they will understand. It is probably the only language they will understand.

[COG1]

Fully intending to Call and write both of my (Republican) Senators. I'm not sure what good it will do. Every single time I've attempted to do so before resulted in a form letter. Once, the letter wasn't even addressing what I wrote about.

[cesanon in reply to COG1]

They listen to this kind of message. They really do. Especially when you say you are an erstwhile supporter.

They have to send you a form letter. It's the only practical way to respond and stay on message.

NEXT, when you get the form letter you call back, say the same thing again, and tell them the form letter isn't good enough.

If they don't change the form letter, you will vote against them in both the next primary and general election despite your past steadfast support for them.

And you want them to reject all campaign contributions from Pharma.

It doesn't take too many calls like that from loyal supporters to shake them up real good.

It really doesn't.

And don't forget to be polite and pleasant as you deliver the message.

[cesanon in reply to cesanon]

You really need to remember that they don't get too many calls and even fewer letter.

They have to assume that for each such call or letter there are many many many many more constituents who feel the same but who are not contacting them.

This is especially so with letters. You can send emails to them through their website.

But individually drafted non-template letters are really compelling. Keep it to one page and the Senator might even end up reading it.

[COG1 in reply to cesanon]

I'm not so sure our Georgia Senators are so responsive. I called when I got the form letter. (I wrote regarding the attempt to repeal ACA...I got a form letter regarding tax cuts). When I explained to them how repealing ACA could cripple cancer patients if the 'lifetime maximum' were reinstated, I could almost hear the eye rolls from the other end of the phone. Georgia is SUCH a red state, that I got the feeling that they weren't worried about my vote. It won't stop me from trying, though.

[cesanon in reply to COG1]

1. Don't bother with the reasoning. They really don't care who they hurt. They just want to be reelected.

2. They are deathly scared of being primaried.

3. Present yourself as a long time loyal conservative supporter and NRA member.

4. Then tell them you will vote against them regardless of whether their opponent is left or right of them if they don't pay attention to this issue.

They will get it.

[j-o-h-n]

MONEY TALKS.... BULLSHIT WALKS....

Good Luck, Good Health Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 05/09/2019 11:57 AM DST