Senators Baucus, Carper and Menendez side with drug industry to kill the Nelson amendment (updated)

[ProSense]

Senators rebuff attempt to squeeze drug makers

WASHINGTON – Senators writing a sweeping health care overhaul have rebuffed an attempt to squeeze more money from the drug industry for medicines used by low-income seniors.

By a 13-10 vote, the Democratic-dominated Senate Finance Committee defeated an amendment requiring rebates of $106 billion over 10 years from the industry.

Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson wanted to use the money to close the Medicare prescription coverage gap. But it would have been on top of $80 billion in reduced fees that the industry already had agreed to in a deal with the White House and Finance Chairman Max Baucus.

Democratic Sens. Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Tom Carper of Delaware warned that squeezing drug makers harder would undermine overall support for the health overhaul.

Update: Drug industry clout reflected in Senate vote

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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.

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[gateley]

1. And I've come to really like Menendez.... regardless of their "justification", it's just wrong. nt

[Inuca]

4. Menendez is usually on the right side

of things but I don't trust him nor like him much. Seems the typical politician to me, well spoken (articulate :-)), in line with his party, etc., but not much in terms of personal convictions, thinking outside he box, and as this vote proves, not very heavy on principles either.

[karynnj]

15. I think I agree with you here.

[blm]

26. You hit the nail on the head - I think he lacks conviction on too many issues to be trusted

in the way I want to trust a Dem lawmaker.

[babylonsister]

2. So we know Baucus is in their pocket. Carper and Menendez might

(!) be, too. Anyone know if this was addressed by the HELP committee or the House bill? Any chance of this decision being overturned down the road?

[ProSense]

3. NJ is a big Pharma state.

It's not the end. It will likely make it into the full bill.

[Inuca]

6. HUGE Pharma state n/t

[Inuca]

5. On Kos

somebody said that s/he heard Nelson say that he will try again when the bill comes to the floor. Sounded like a damn good idea, much supported by Jay Rockefeller (my new hero and crush :-)).

[babylonsister]

7. I remember railing against Rockefeller in the past, but I'm also holding

my fire-he's doing a fine job of standing up to the wingnuts.

Glad to know this isn't over.

[dmr]

10. When he first started speaking up, I had to double-check

that it was really him talking!

Still, I find myself trying to listen to each word he speaks just in case he's double-talking.

So far, so good; and that makes me happy.

:hi:

[Inuca]

17. Hey, don't you dare

speak against my new hero!

Seriously now, I agree. The main frustration with him, at least from my part, was FISA related. And much as I disliked the positions he took on that and how he influenced the final outcome, there was always at the back of mind the idea that he knows way more than I do and maybe there are valid reasons for what he is doing. I think he really believed he was doing the right thing at the time, who knows...

[SpartanDem]

8. It's already in the House bill

I don't think it's in the HELP bill. Nelson said that he'd bring it back again on the floor

[babylonsister]

9. Great, thanks. nt

[karynnj]

12. thanks - so it has a chance to be in both the House and Senate bills

[karynnj]

14. Menendez is likely voting that way as NJ has lots of drug companies

He has been rather a hack this year - holding up two of the environmental nominees because he was angry about Obama's Cuba party. He is usually liberal, but he also does things like this.

[babylonsister]

22. So his constituents don't matter? I guess that's been answered. nt

[karynnj]

23. I called his office on the holds, but never thought that

he would vote against something like this - as it seemed to be an obviously good idea. When I called on the holds, his office seemed to have no idea what I was speaking about.

[dsc]

25. apparently the ones that have jobs with pharmasuticals matter to him

and I don't think that is insane.

[tabbycat31]

28. he will hear from me on this vote

I don't care if Big Pharma is in this state, he represents his constituents.

I plan on calling him about this. I hope that a few more from DU will join me

[phone]

[karynnj]

11. Both states have major drug companies - but the amendment is just common sense

What this really shows was that this was another slight of hand give away to the drug companies when Medicare Part B was established - and it was at the expense of the taxpayers and the elderly least able to pay for it.

[ProSense]

13. Yup,

Menendez needs to be called on this.

[inna]

16. why in the world did "the White House lobby against Nelson's amendment"??

"Senators said the White House lobbied against Nelson's amendment."


??

[Inuca]

18. Link? n/t

[inna]

24. last sentence in the article in the OP. nt

[karynnj]

21. Just a guess

I wonder if the medicare rate was negotiated with the understanding that the dual medicaid/medicare people were there. If that were true, then the "discount" the Bush administration got for Medicare is even less impressive as part of it was offset by getting more from those that before got the lower Medicaid price. (Then additional subsidies were given the dual people to partially make up for this.) It might be that changing this would mean renegotiating the Medicare price.

That and the administration and Baucus liked the credit for their Pharma deal.

[flpoljunkie]

19. Both Lincoln and Bingaman passed until the amendment fell, then voted for it.Conrad voted late, too.

[ProSense]

20. Conrad and Lincoln are disgusting. Bingaman should know better. n/t

[BreweryYardRat]

27. Woah, Nelson's usually a Blue Dog.

Surprising to see a little decency from him.