House bill would require HHS Secretary to negotiate drugs price on behalf of Medicare

[flpoljunkie]

(Go Nancy! The Conservadems ni the Senate will work hard to strip this out. We will need to speak up loudly to stop them.)

The measure includes a new provision that would require the secretary of health and human services to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, a proposal that is anathema to pharmaceutical companies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/health/policy/30health.html?hp

[Posteritatis]

1. Okay, *that* I like. Canada negotiates with the companies directly too. (nt)

[bvar22]

2. Umm....this is NOT a good change.

Nancy stripped out the provision that dictated Medicare +5% compensation.
She did this to make the Public Option weaker so that it will gather more Conservative votes.
This change will make the Public Option more expensive and LESS able to compete with the low budget policies that the For Profits will be offering on "The Exchange".

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

3. I think the Medicare + 5 has to do with hospitals and care providers, not drugs

If you recall, the big brou-ha-ha since Medicare Part d was passed was that we did NOT negotiate for reduced drug prices like every other country.

This is an excellent change for the better and will save gazillions of dollars if it makes it through the whole bill. This is also the issue that purportedly Pres Obama waived in his own personal dealings with Pharma through Max Baucus and the Finance committee, we we got the pathetic concession of 80 billion dollars over 10 years, which is a drop in the bucket for pharma.

There will be FIREWORKS over this. This is the House standing up to both the Senate and the Pres in a very big way.

[flpoljunkie]

4. We are talking negotiating prescription drug prices here. That is a good thing.

Howard Dean, by the way, thinks the House bill is a great bill, but we need to get more people insured right away. I agree.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. Folks, this is a BIG BIG BIG BIG Deal

I can't believe this is missing in the discussion so far.

Congratulations Nancy Pelosi and Congress for bringing out this HUGE correction of what has been a travesty for years since Medicare Part D was passed.

[vaberella]

12. I'm giving this a K&R. I think it's because this was not talked about by the media.

Added to that, people on this board want to hate and a small faction sees all this as a Kucinich attack.

[uponit7771]

6. My pony was supposed to be dark blue and black dammit!!!!

[andym]

drugs and medical device costs are a major factor driving hc cost increase

negotiating with pharma could hold down costs and make things more affordable.

[flpoljunkie]

8. The House places a 2.5% excise tax on medical devices. Senators will also try to strip this out.

[andym]

7. drugs and medical device costs are a major factor driving hc cost increase

negotiating with pharma could hold down costs and make things more affordable.

[SpartanDem]

9. I hope this makes it way into the final bill.

[slipslidingaway]

10. What about the 80 billion dollar deal and the ads PhRMA is helping to run...

somehow I doubt this will be in the final bill, maybe they will try and get some additional money for the dual eligible seniors as discussed in the Finance Committee and that will be the compromise.

:shrug:

Senator Carper Publicly Defends Secret PhRMA Deal In Exchange For Support Ads

Could we save another 220 billion
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6622945&mesg_id=6622945


Powerful ad...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6841162&mesg_id=6841162

[Hekate]

11. Okay, now THAT's in the promised-pony category. And yes we will have to keep up pressure!

:bounce:

Hekate

[flpoljunkie]

13. And, there's more, according to The Hill...

The bill unveiled Wednesday takes the drug makers up on their Part D but would go further, eventually eliminating the so-called doughnut hole. The legislation also would allow the federal government to directly negotiate the prices Medicare pays for prescription drugs. In addition, the bill would require drug companies to pay rebates on medicines purchased for low-income seniors enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/65555-business-and-drug-groups-blast-bill-doctors-are-uneasy