Senate Blocks Medicare Drug Price Bill

[Widge 0]

"WASHINGTON - The Senate blocked legislation on Wednesday that would let the government negotiate Medicare drug prices. Democrats couldn't muster the 60 votes needed to bring the bill up for a vote.

Under the Medicare drug benefit, private insurance plans negotiate with drug makers over the price of medicine for their customers. About 22 million seniors and the disabled are enrolled in such plans. Some lawmakers, mostly Democrats, contend the government could use its leverage to drive a better bargain than individual insurers, which would lower the cost of the program for taxpayers and seniors. "

full article http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6568081,00.html

[beameup 0]

Has government intervention (interference) ever caused prices to go down?

They tried price controls during the Nixon Administration and they didn't work.

"WASHINGTON - The Senate blocked legislation on Wednesday that would let the government negotiate Medicare drug prices. Democrats couldn't muster the 60 votes needed to bring the bill up for a vote.

Under the Medicare drug benefit, private insurance plans negotiate with drug makers over the price of medicine for their customers. About 22 million seniors and the disabled are enrolled in such plans. Some lawmakers, mostly Democrats, contend the government could use its leverage to drive a better bargain than individual insurers, which would lower the cost of the program for taxpayers and seniors. "

full article http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6568081,00.html

[Widge 0]

from my very limited understanding the govt is specifically denied the right to negotiate prices under the current legislation the veterans admin can negotiate and are currently paying way less for the same meds. provided by medicare. The buying power of the govt would be bound to get best price on the basis its our tax dollars isn't it obvious to allow that to happen than be legislated against

"The question is why aren't we doing it for Medicare beneficiaries." He went on to ask, “Why shouldn’t we save the same money on medicines for our seniors that we now save for veterans and the military?” Instead Medicare users will be paying twice as much for their drugs. Currently, senior citizens pay more than veterans. Prices for six drugs compared showed that the veterans pay $22.06 under the VA plan, while seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D plan pay $48.38."

source http://www.movingideas.org/content/en/repo...icare_drugs.htm

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Has government intervention (interference) ever caused prices to go down?

Yes, that's why drugs are less expensive in any other country. Canada, Western Europe, you name it. The government intervenes in those places resulting in lower drug prices. Check it out!

Edited April 18, 2007 by ET-US2004

[almaty 19]

and Nixon price controls worked fine

[Dr_LHA 3]

Has government intervention (interference) ever caused prices to go down?

Yes. Has putting things into the hands of insurance companies ever caused prices to go down?

[homesick_american 1]

Has government intervention (interference) ever caused prices to go down?

Yes. Has putting things into the hands of insurance companies ever caused prices to go down?

Has putting things into the hands of private industry ever caused prices to go down? The UK is more privatized than the US, that's for sure and about the only thing cheaper here is healthcare, and that's one of the only things still owned by the public. :lol: :lol:

[Widge 0]

Has government intervention (interference) ever caused prices to go down?

Yes. Has putting things into the hands of insurance companies ever caused prices to go down?

Has putting things into the hands of private industry ever caused prices to go down? The UK is more privatized than the US, that's for sure and about the only thing cheaper here is healthcare, and that's one of the only things still owned by the public. :lol: :lol:

I would like to dispute the fact that health care here is cheaper than in the UK

Healthcare is available to EVERY member of the UK population regardless of employment status from the moment they are born to the day they die. This covers all doctor consultation, all hospital in stays (length not dictated by any insurance company) and all recuperation. The only basic cost to the user is prescription charges fixed at a nominal rate (but these too are free to any OAP and those on low incomes) The working population pays a fixed rate of 9% up to a ceiling amount. Here health care is totally dependent upon your ability to pay i.e. you are lucky enough to have a company that pays for decent coverage for you or you are able to have a job that allows you to purchase health coverage for yourself. Even then with coverage you are likely to have additional costs (co-pays and deductables) and limits to the coverage provided. There are some who have many complaints about the UK system, I never did when I was living there, and cetainly having experienced healthcare American style I would have no question which I prefer and which is fairer (to the entire population not just the "haves") and which at the end of the day provides th ebest care to the population as a whole.

[beameup 0]

Over regulation causes prices to go up not down. That is why my healthcare costs in the Philippines are 10% of what they would be in the U.S. - frivolous lawsuits and excessive regulation only increase prices. Why am I not surprised since the Democrats controlled congress for over 40 years and most in congress are lawyers ($$$contributions$$$). By the way, why wasn't this Drug Program included in the original Medicare "Entitlement" in the mid-sixties under Lyndon Johnson..... hmmmmmmmm???

Has government intervention (interference) ever caused prices to go down?

They tried price controls during the Nixon Administration and they didn't work.

"WASHINGTON - The Senate blocked legislation on Wednesday that would let the government negotiate Medicare drug prices. Democrats couldn't muster the 60 votes needed to bring the bill up for a vote.

Under the Medicare drug benefit, private insurance plans negotiate with drug makers over the price of medicine for their customers. About 22 million seniors and the disabled are enrolled in such plans. Some lawmakers, mostly Democrats, contend the government could use its leverage to drive a better bargain than individual insurers, which would lower the cost of the program for taxpayers and seniors. "

full article http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6568081,00.html

[beameup 0]

The UK is more privatized than the US, that's for sure and about the only thing cheaper here is healthcare, and that's one of the only things still owned by the public. :lol: :lol:

I would hardly consider such a small country like the U.K., which is smaller than many of the States in the U.S., a good example to use. Massive Federal Intervention (and favoritism toward the "legal profession") by the U.S. congress rather than State implementation is responsible for increased prices across the board. This violates "States Rights" and creates a one-size-fits-all type of system which is not even given sufficient testing before massive implementation. So you have these "Entitlement" programs and massive "Welfare" programs started in the '60's which are essentially driving up costs because of poor planning by "well meaning" Liberal politicians.

So much for the "Great Society".

Kind of reminds me of the "Great" Soviet Society .... LOL :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Heracles 417]

The biggest misconception by these bullshit artist lobbyist is that it would limit choice. We are talking about the government negotiating a cheaper price for key medications. That is actually free market economics at work. Walmart does it with their $4 medication..

Whereas the pharmaceutical companies are able to waste billions on advertising their products, then pass that cost onto the pharmacies who take their insurance companies; which in turn passes it onto the American consumer..

I went to about 5 pharmacies and was not able to get a nose spray for under $85US dollars, for a 25ml bottle; plus I needed a prescription. Yet I managed to order the same product / same brand from Sydney and had it shipped for total cost of $26 dollars.. If that is not a joke i do not know what is.

PS That was also a 50ml bottle. Quite convenient for those pharmaceutical companies / pharmacies as I would have to purchase two bottles to receive the same dosage.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Has government intervention (interference) ever caused prices to go down?

Yes. Has putting things into the hands of insurance companies ever caused prices to go down?

Has putting things into the hands of private industry ever caused prices to go down? The UK is more privatized than the US, that's for sure and about the only thing cheaper here is healthcare, and that's one of the only things still owned by the public. :lol: :lol:

I would like to dispute the fact that health care here is cheaper than in the UK

I actually read the statement of HA as saying that the only thing cheaper in the UK vs. the US is healthcare which is not in the hands of the private industry but a public service there. I think HA still is in the UK making "here" really "there" looking from this side of the Atlantic. I may be wrong but I thought that's what was said.

Everyone knows for a fact that there is no place on earth where health care is more expenxive and and wasteful than right here in the US.

The biggest misconception by these bullshit artist lobbyist is that it would limit choice. We are talking about the government negotiating a cheaper price for key medications. That is actually free market economics at work. Walmart does it with their $4 medication..

Whereas the pharmaceutical companies are able to waste billions on advertising their products, then pass that cost onto the pharmacies who take their insurance companies; which in turn passes it onto the American consumer..

I went to about 5 pharmacies and was not able to get a nose spray for under $85US dollars, for a 25ml bottle; plus I needed a prescription. Yet I managed to order the same product / same brand from Sydney and had it shipped for total cost of $26 dollars.. If that is not a joke i do not know what is.

PS That was also a 50ml bottle. Quite convenient for those pharmaceutical companies / pharmacies as I would have to purchase two bottles to receive the same dosage.

Mark this day: I agree with Infidel.

[Dr_LHA 3]

The UK is more privatized than the US, that's for sure and about the only thing cheaper here is healthcare, and that's one of the only things still owned by the public. :lol: :lol:

I would hardly consider such a small country like the U.K., which is smaller than many of the States in the U.S., a good example to use.

The UK is a country of over 60 million people. Just because its land area may be smaller than some states, doesn't mean its not a valid comparison.

Also last time I looked Medicare et al. were federal programs, so I don't know what your waffling rant about States Rights was all about.

[homesick_american 1]

Has government intervention (interference) ever caused prices to go down?

Yes. Has putting things into the hands of insurance companies ever caused prices to go down?

Has putting things into the hands of private industry ever caused prices to go down? The UK is more privatized than the US, that's for sure and about the only thing cheaper here is healthcare, and that's one of the only things still owned by the public. :lol: :lol:

I would like to dispute the fact that health care here is cheaper than in the UK

Dispute away; I never said it was cheaper in the US than it is in the UK. When I say 'here' I am referring to the UK, which is my current location.

There are some who have many complaints about the UK system, I never did when I was living there, and cetainly having experienced healthcare American style I would have no question which I prefer and which is fairer (to the entire population not just the "haves") and which at the end of the day provides th ebest care to the population as a whole.

Heh...don't even get me started on how sucky the NHS is. How long have you been away?

[homesick_american 1]

I actually read the statement of HA as saying that the only thing cheaper in the UK vs. the US is healthcare which is not in the hands of the private industry but a public service there. I think HA still is in the UK making "here" really "there" looking from this side of the Atlantic. I may be wrong but I thought that's what was said.

Everyone knows for a fact that there is no place on earth where health care is more expenxive and and wasteful than right here in the US.

Nope, you're not wrong...here = UK, there = US. I may be an American, but I am presently located in the UK. If people would take the time to read my signature or timeline they would realize that.