Drug industry clout reflected in Senate vote

[RedEarth]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senators rebuffed an attempt to squeeze more money from the drug industry Thursday after two Democrats warned it would undermine the fragile political coalition pushing a sweeping health care overhaul.

The Senate Finance Committee voted 13-10 to reject an amendment that would have required the industry to rebate $106 billion over 10 years to the government for medications used by low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Three Democrats, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Tom Carper of Delaware, and Chairman Max Baucus joined Republicans in voting against the proposal.

Minutes earlier, Menendez and Carper warned that approval of the amendment could undermine support for the overall legislation. Not only are pharmaceutical companies major employers in their states, but the industry is also a leading backer of overhauling the health care system this year. The vote reflected the industry's clout.

The author of the amendment, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., had wanted to use the money to close the coverage gap in the Medicare prescription benefit - long a policy goal for Democrats. But would have been on top of $80 billion in reduced fees the industry already agreed to in a deal with the White House and Finance Chairman Max Baucus. Senators said the White House lobbied against Nelson's amendment.



Read more: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090924/D9ATR57G1.html

[IndianaGreen]

1. Being an industry whore is a bipartisan profession

Even the unrec brigands can't hide this one!

Rockefeller: "The Insurance Industry... Is Running Certain People In This Markup" (VIDEO)

Reacting to an amendment proposed by Sen. Jon Cornyn (R-Texas) during the Senate Finance Committee's markup of health care reform legislation on Thursday, committee member Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) called his colleague a pawn of the health insurance industry.

"This is a very, very important amendment and it's a very, very bad amendment," said Rockefeller. "If there's anything which is clear, it's that the insurance industry is not running this markup, but is running certain people in this markup."

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/24/rockefeller-the-insurance_n_298555.html

[joeycola]

2. this is shameful-"the White House lobbied against Nelson's amendment."

[Demeter]

3. Take Back Our Government

Of the Corporations, by the Corporations, for the Corporations just doesn't have that rhyme or reason...

[No Elephants]

4. So, they reject this amendment, yet they have no assurance that anyone will vote for the bill.

*spits*

[excess_3]

5. time to reorganize the Senate

put Backus in charge of the
Merchant Marine, or something