Attempt to curb pharmaceutical prices in Oregon runs into drug-industry opposition in Legislature
SALEM An ambitious attempt to try to rein in prescription drug prices on about a third of Oregon health insurance plans has run into a buzz saw of opposition in the Capitol.
The concept of curbing fast-growing drug costs is very popular with voters nationally, polls show. Democratic and Republican state lawmakers say high prices are a problem.
But the experience of House Bill 2387 this session illustrates strong differences of opinion about how to cut prices.
It also shows how two well-funded lobby groups the pharmaceutical industry and health insurance companies have aggressively tried to shift the policy discussion to their advantage. The drug industry opposes the bill, but many insurers like it.
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