Drug lobbyists gearing up for big fight over free-market healthcare, prescription prices

[babylonsister]

Drugmaker ads to target Obama idea
Lobbyist readies for prescription price fight
Sean Lengell
Friday, November 14, 2008



The nation's largest pharmaceutical lobbying group is preparing a multimillion-dollar public relations campaign to tout the importance of free-market health care and undercut an expected push by the Obama administration for price controls of prescription drugs.

The effort, which will include a national television commercial scheduled to begin airing next week, is the first salvo in what likely will be a huge battle over health care reform during the Obama presidency.

Other major industries are also gearing up for the fight, including big businesses and insurance companies. But the stakes are especially high for drugmakers, which stand to lose as much as $30 billion in revenue if President-elect Barack Obama's plan to let the federal government negotiate Medicare drug prices is implemented, according to one independent report.

"There's no question that next year will be a challenging year," said Ken Johnson, senior vice president with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, which is organizing the campaign.

Mr. Obama attacked drug companies repeatedly during his election campaign.

more...

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/14/drugmaker-ads-to-target-obama-idea/

[Corgigal]

1. free-market health care

One can only hope they mention the above phrase in their commerical. Times they are a changin

[GodlessBiker]

2. They think negotiation = price controls. Lying bastards.

[shadowknows69]

3. They must be winning

My meds are skyrocketing in price. Two of them doubled their price in the space of a month.

[Haole Girl]

4. Congress is already bought and paid for by these lobbyists

The outcome is virtually a pre-drawn conclusion. :-(

I hate to sound cynical, but the lifestyles our Representatives in Washington have don't seem to come from just their salaries.

Until we kick the lobbyists to the curb, we (we, the people) will all be sold out by groups such as this.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

5. Big Pharma likes free-market healthcare so long...

...as it's understood that "free-market" does not include the consumer having access to pharmaceuticals from other countries -- "free-market" really means Big Pharma is sole supplier and price setter.

[asjr]

6. I hope Obama revisits Medicare RX. My premium

for 2009 has gone up to 38.00 a month. Still one drug I have to pay 72.00 each month. It is a giant ripoff by the drug companies. I am seriously thinking about canceling it. The rest of my meds can be bought generically. But then, I think what would happen if I was very very ill. My Blue Cross-BS medigap insurance had to be dropped because it was so high. Last month I ended up with $4.54 in my checking account. Thank heaven I have senior citizen status so I am not charged a monthly fee.

[OhioChick]

7. K&R

:kick: