FL Senator Bill Nelson calls for probe of seized meds

[seafan]

Nelson calls for probe of seized meds

Effort seen as push to Medicare
February 18, 2006

BY PATRICK PETERSON
FLORIDA TODAY

Sen. Bill Nelson has asked the inspector general to investigate whether the Bush administration has resumed seizures of cheap drugs mailed from Canada to force U.S. seniors to enroll in the more expensive Medicare prescription plan.
"If they are stepping up the search and seizure to push people into the Medicare drug program, that's really an outrage," said Dan McLaughlin, Nelson's spokesman.


Nelson's office in Florida has reported a recent rise in complaints from consumers. There have been 10 seniors from Florida, including two from Brevard County, who have not received drug shipments from Canada.
And in recent weeks, Canadian pharmacists have charged that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has stepped up seizures of personal prescription drug shipments into the U.S.
They say seizures have risen to 5 percent of shipments from less than 1 percent since late last year, according to Nelson's office. Canadian storefront operations in Florida have said their shipments have been seized.


The U.S. government has denied any action.

"This raises questions about whether the government's forcing seniors into the new Medicare drug program," Nelson said in a letter to the inspector general of Homeland Security, which overseas Customs. "If true, this would be alarming."

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http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060218/NEWS01/602180331/1006

[RagingInMiami]

1. Nelson is counting on the senior votes this November

I'm sure this will end up nowhere but in a slew of rhetoric.

[Not Me]

2. I wish the Dems here in FL would put someone with some spine

up against him in a primary. He lost my support when he failed to stand with Kerry/Kennedy and block Alito.

[Bushy Being Born]

3. There's a DU:er that will challenge him in the primary, no?

I noticed such a thread a while back. It had LOTS of recommendations. :patriot:

[1monster]

4. That was Dr. Phool, I believe, Rick Chapman. I haven't seen anything

posted by him since that announcement.

I wish someone would put out some information on his projected run. I know several people who will work in different parts of the state (northeast, central and southwest) for his primary election campagin.

An early grassroots campaign will do much to overcome a lack of early money.

Talk to us, Dr. Phool!!!