SPT: Senator Bill Nelson Showing a Health Care Pulse

[flpoljunkie]

I still intend to offer several significant amendments to the legislation, which, among other things, will help pay for the improvements and expansion of health care reforms. One of my amendments would require drugmakers to provide rebates to Medicare, just like they do to Medicaid. This would save Medicare a ton of money. Further, by eliminating the tax break drugmakers get for TV advertising, we would see another $37 billion over the next years to pay for health care.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2009/09/sen-bill-nelson-showing-a-health-care-pulse.html#more

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Good times - and those amendments actually seem to make sense.

Personally, I'd ban the drugmakers from advertising altogether - I think it's horribly detrimental to medicine to have patients shopping for pills - but it's a step in the right direction.

[seafan]

2. Wait, wait, are there signs of life from Bill Nelson?

From today's Tampa Bay The Buzz:


September 11, 2009

Sen. Bill Nelson showing a health care pulse

After taking heat over avoiding the stage on health care, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is showing signs of life.

He released a statement before President Barack Obama spoke Wednesday and, today has a letter in the St. Petersburg Times that says he's "helping" prepare the Senate bill.

"You were right to commend President Barack Obama for providing some clear answers in his speech Wednesday night about his views on health care reform — and, to call on Congress to get back to work on the issue.

I found it interesting that what the president described is pretty close to the draft of a bill I'm helping prepare as a member of the Senate Finance Committee. That legislation is due to be unveiled next week.

In essence, it will let folks happy with their insurance keep it. But it also will create an exchange, a marketplace, where those without coverage, or those who are unhappy with what they have, can get it at an affordable price.

The bill also will hold insurers' feet to the fire by requiring them to cover everyone and preventing them from dropping someone if they get sick. Additionally, it will contain several measures aimed at reducing overall medical and prescription drug costs and eliminating waste and fraud in the system.

I still intend to offer several significant amendments to the legislation, which, among other things, will help pay for the improvements and expansion of health care reforms. One of my amendments would require drugmakers to provide rebates to Medicare, just like they do to Medicaid. This would save Medicare a ton of money. Further, by eliminating the tax break drugmakers get for TV advertising, we would see another $37 billion over the next years to pay for health care.

The St. Petersburg Times is to be commended for recognizing the president's contribution, and for calling on Congress to take action.

Florida Senator Bill Nelson avoids the stage during health care battle, September 8, 2009


Sadly, Bill Nelson is so deep in the pockets of Big Money, that we're probably better off if he misses the health care reform vote.


By the way, how was your "trade" trip to Borneo in August? Wished we could have talked about health care reform a bit before you left.

[jwirr]

3. Come on Sen. Nelson get on the wagon. By the way I actually like

his amendments.

[flpoljunkie]

4. Yes. The top five drug companies made $35 billion in profits in 2008. That's real money.

[LiberalAndProud]

5. I think I'll send him a note to thank him.

I feel a bit ... happy about this.

One of my amendments would require drugmakers to provide rebates to Medicare, just like they do to Medicaid. This would save Medicare a ton of money. Further, by eliminating the tax break drugmakers get for TV advertising, we would see another $37 billion over the next years to pay for health care.

[tabbycat31]

6. I agree with him on the drugs and the advertising part

[polichick]

7. Drugmakers get tax breaks for all those RIDICULOUS ADS??? nt