Senator Claims Backing on Medicare Changes

[Eugene]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5306702,00.html

Senator Claims Backing on Medicare Changes


Tuesday September 27, 2005 11:46 PM

By MATTHEW DALY

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - An Oregon senator says he has enough votes in the
Senate to pass an amendment allowing the government to negotiate
Medicare drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies, a change
opposed by President Bush and other Republicans as well as the drug
industry.

"We're looking for the right vehicle to get this important provision
into law and get some cost containment into the Medicare benefit,"
Sen. Ron Wyden said at a news conference.

Wyden's comment came as a new study showed that people who get their
drug benefits through the Veterans Affairs Department paid about $220
less for a yearlong prescription than those who used the government's
Medicare drug card.

<snip>

Wyden, a Democrat who voted for the 2003 bill, has come under intense
criticism from senior advocates and others who opposed the bill as far
short of the reform needed to make Medicare effective and affordable.
He has vowed to change the law, starting with the plan to grant
bargaining power for drug prices.

<snip>

more...

[skooooo]

1. Wyden...doing something for the people!

Imagine that!

[depakid]

2. Seeing as how Wyden voted for the Medicare abomination

He ought to be trying to do something positive about it-

What a classic Dem sellout that was- former grey panther leader and all.

Made me sick.