Frist agrees to take on drug reimportation issue

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.thehill.com/story.asp?id=185

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has agreed to try to move controversial legislation to allow for the reimportation of prescription drugs from other countries.

A key Senate Democrat who negotiated with Frist said he believes Frist will bring a bill to the floor this year, and Frist told The Hill that reimportation is “a big enough issue that we need to address sooner rather than later.”

Frist has previously balked at moving reimportation legislation, claiming it would jeopardize patient safety.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) pressured Frist to make a commitment to deal with the issue by holding up the nomination of Mark McClellan, president Bush’s pick to head the federal Medicare program. The Senate confirmed McClellan’s nomination Thursday night after prolonged negotiations between Frist, Dorgan and others.

[NashVegas]

1. Tommy Won't Like That

I can only imagine he'll work it through when HCA finds a way to make money off of Canadian imports.