Bush threatens to veto bill that can lower drug prices

[ck4829]

"The House approved legislation Friday requiring the government to negotiate with drug companies over the price of medicines for Medicare participants.

Despite a veto threat from the president, Democrats used their majority status to push through another of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record)'s priorities for the first 100 hours of the new Congress. The vote was 255-170, mostly along party lines.

The idea behind the bill is using the sheer size of the Medicare program to generate steeper discounts than private insurance plans can muster.

"If this bill is presented to the president, he will veto it," Tony Snow said Friday."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/medicare_drugs

[Chemical Bill]

1. Maybe that will get my parents to realize how bad * is. n/t

[billybob537]

2. Just another click on the IMPEACHMENT CLOCK n/t

[spanone]

3. It's perfect for junior to veto a bill that would actually help people that need help

These people rarely donate to political campaigns.

[sallyseven]

4. When the drug companies wrote the bill

they purposely put that clause in. They would not make obscene profits if they had to neg. Scum.

[MidwestTransplant]

5. His approval rating won't get much lower than it is.

The real trouble will be for the Republicans who don't vote for the override of the veto.

[Frustratedlady]

6. How many votes does it take to override?

[MidwestTransplant]

9. 2/3 of voting members I believe.

[Renew Deal]

7. Bush must not care at all if he has popular support.

I think this will hurt the republicans badly for 2008.

[global1]

8. Which Dems Didn't Support This Bill ?.....

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll023.xml

Looks like all the Dems supported. Just a couple of no votes by Dems. I'm noticing that Hastart sat out this vote as well as the Stem Cell vote. Interesting

[sakabatou]

10. Because fair prices for drugs isn't.

[candidate]

11. [Insert hysterical right-wing rant about socialized medicine here]

There's nothing more despicable than a government that gives something back to the people instead of the corporations.