Keeping an Eye on Technology Futures, No Hidden Agendas, New Attitudes, No Platitudes!
Here's what happened:
The 2003 Medicare prescription drug bill extended coverage to 41 million Americans. At an estimated cost of $400 billion over 10 years, it was the largest entitlement program in more than 40 years. It turned out to be a lobbyist's dream and an aging American's nightmare.
Several former senators and congressmen were registered lobbyists for the drug industry and worked on this bill. When it passed, there were more than 1,000 pharmaceutical lobbyists working on it. Many admit openly that bill was written by the lobbyists and stacked to benefit the pharmaceutical industry.
When it came time to cast ballots, the Republican leadership discovered that a number of key Republican congressmen had defected, arguing that the bill was too expensive, and a sellout to the drug companies. The bill was facing defeat.
The voting machines are normally open for 15 minutes - but they remained open for almost 3 hours. Why extended-hours voting? Because the votes were there to defeat the bill for 2 hours and 45 minutes. There were lobbyists going around twisting arms to get votes changed. Said one Republican Congressman, "The arm-twisting was horrible. I've been in politics for 22 years, and it was the ugliest night I've ever seen in those 22 years."
The bill passed, allowing drug companies to charge more by preventing Medicare from negotiating prices. The VA (Veterans Admin.) does bargain successfully, but Medicare cannot - it's prohibited by Law. Estimates show VA prices for the same drugs are 50-60% lower.
This is the "free market" run amok. 952 lobbyists spent a total of $141 million in 2003 making sure that Medicare money would be siphoned through their companies. Many of the lobbyists were past senators and congressmen. In the end, the 415-page bill was negotiated behind closed doors in a Senate-House committee. The lobbyists earned their keep. The provisions they promoted helped to ensure $531 BILLION (repeat, more than a half-TRILLION) for their big-pharma clients over a 10-year period.
Several lawmakers who worked on the bill have since joined Pharma lobbyist firms. A brazen example is Billy Tauzin, Congressman from Louisiana who steered this legislation through the House, and also chaired the House committee that regulated the industry. Tauzin retired, and immediately took a job as president of PHARMA, the drug industry's top lobbying group - with an annual salary of $2 million. Whaddyathink of that!? Open, brazen, in-your-face!
If you've ever wondered why the cost of US prescription drugs are the highest in the world, or why it's illegal to import cheaper drugs from Canada or Mexico, look no further than the big-pharma lobby and its influence in Washington, DC.
This summary of the background may seem unbelievable. Please follow the web links provided. I challenge anyone to send me feedback supporting this legislation and the way it was handled. Yes, yes - I know the argument, "The pharma industry spends billions on new drugs!" Is that the excuse?
The Pharma lobby spends $100+ million every year in campaign contributions and lobbying expenses. Everyone knows this. The presidential candidates talk about it. It remains to be seen who will stop this corruption, and when.
