* threatens to veto bill enabling Medicare to negotiate drug prices

[meldroc]

Bush would veto Medicare bill: White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Friday threatened a veto of a bill that would overhaul the Medicare prescription drug law to require the government to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies.

"If this bill is presented to the president, he will veto," White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters.

The Medicare bill is a key priority of the new Democratic Congress. Snow spoke as the U.S. House of Representatives was expected to vote later in the day on the legislation.

Democrats contend that instructing the government to negotiate prices would save money both for the government and for older Americans covered by the Medicare program.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

Funny, I thought Republicans were all for letting free market forces do their work. I guess pharmco profits are more important than people's health and well being...

Think we can get a veto-proof majority on this bill?

[natrat]

1. anything republican is a complete load of shit these days to state the obvious

[bullimiami]

2. vetoing this wont be good for him unpopularity rating.

pretty difficult to frame this as anything except republican assisted robbery.

[Flying Dream Blues]

3. How do they attempt to justify this position? I'm constantly amazed

that this kind of thing doesn't get more attention from the "MSM." Often, it seems that the WH doesn't even bother to try to spin this as a "good thing" (how could you?) and the MSM just reports it without comment.

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. Oddly enough, the Cons LOVE the purchasing power of WalMart

but refuse to apply the same principle to the federal government to save taxpayers and the elderly some money.

Gee, I wonder what gives! :sarcasm:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. I think the members of Congress will be under great pressure

to override a veto on this issue. Remember we senior citizens tend to vote in higher numbers than any other age group.

[twilight_sailing]

6. Wonder how much the Republicans take in

from the Big Pharm?

Go, Democrats, go!
Don't let big money run our government!
We are a government of the people, by the people, for the people.