Democrats suffer blow on drug pricing as 3 moderates buck party

[left-of-center2012]

Democrats' signature legislation to lower drug prices was defeated in a House committee on Wednesday as three moderate Democrats voted against their party.
Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), and Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.)
voted against the measure to allow the secretary of Health and Human Services to
negotiate lower drug prices, a long-held goal of Democrats.

Rep Peters warned that "government-dictated prices" under the bill would
cause harm to the "private investment" that backs drug development.

The vote is a striking setback for Democrats' $3.5 trillion package. Drug pricing is intended to be a key way to pay for the package. Leadership can still add a version of the provision back later in the process, but the move shows the depth of some moderate concerns.

The three lawmakers had long signaled their concerns with the drug pricing measure, but actually voting it down in the House Energy and Commerce Committee is an escalation. Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) had implored the three lawmakers to vote in favor of the measure to at least keep the process going.

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/572447-democrats-suffer-blow-on-drug-pricing-as-3-moderates-buck-party

[BlueTsunami2018]

1. Who is paying them off?

Because no reasonable person, especially a Democratic elected official, could be against this unless they’re being paid off.

We just can’t win.

[haele]

6. Peters represents a district with a lot of Bio-Med research and development.

Though I disagree with his vote, I can see why he voted that way.

Haele

[lagomorph777]

7. That doesn't seem too hard to guess.

[wellst0nev0ter]

10. Tweet:

Link to tweet

[msongs]

2. follow the $$ nt

[bottomofthehill]

3. There are all sorts of government negotiated prices

On the GSA schedule from cars to flights, printers, computers, everything from soup to nuts, just not prescription drugs…….

[bottomofthehill]

13. the GSA Schedule

About GSA Schedule

The GSA Schedule, also known as Federal Supply Schedule, and Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), is a long-term governmentwide contract with commercial companies that provide access to millions of commercial products and services at fair and reasonable prices to the government. MAS makes buying easy and efficient with the use of modern technology to connect government buyers and industry.

Schedule policy and procedures are guided by two major governing regulatory documents:

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) – Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 152(3), FAR Part 38 prescribes policies and procedures that GSA must follow in managing the Schedule program. FAR Subpart 8.4 prescribes ordering procedures for federal agencies when placing orders for supplies and services under Schedule.
General Services Administration Acquisition Manual (GSAM) – GSAM covers GSA acquisition policies and practices.

Visit the Buyer and Seller pages for additional information on how these regulations and policies guide your Schedule experience.

[LonePirate]

4. This same provision just passed the Ways & Means Committee so it will go to the full House.

Link to tweet

John Bresnahan @bresreports

Ways and Means just approved the Medicare prescription drug pricing legislation (HR 3) that Energy & Commerce rejected. So leadership will get their $700 billion in savings for expanding Medicare coverage to vision/dental/hearing. This doesn’t solve problem of passing on floor

[spanone]

5. FUCK

[blm]

8. Katie Porter blew a hole through the 'investment' lie.

[badhair77]

9. Grrr . . .

I can’t tell you how many times my husband or I have had to pay more for a prescription because we have Medicare prescription coverage and his buddies have coverage thru their employers. They could benefit from promotions and special deals while government-based coverage could not.

[elleng]

11. Bull shit!

'Govt' has negotiated with drug companies for years, in providing insurance for Federal Employees covered by FEHBplan

https://www.checkbook.org/newhig2/hig.cfm?gclid=Cj0KCQjws4aKBhDPARIsAIWH0JXkTi2TRIAA-aP_6Y09gKxoyGVaGCoVScthE-4RoO2VETxec_6uhwAaAi7LEALw_wcB

[Bayard]

12. "The "private investment" that backs drug development."

That's a load of crap anyway. The reason drug prices are so high in this country is because the U.S. bears the brunt for research costs. They can't do that in other countries BECAUSE drug prices are regulated.

[Carlitos Brigante]

14. Well I guess some assholes just don't like being in power. Go ahead

keep sabotaging shit and see what happens. Let me give you a sneak peek. Keep doing all you can to make the party appear like they can't be trusted to keep their campaign promises. Next thing you know. Your dumb asses will be on TV wondering how could vote for the real republican.

[onethatcares]

15. as my mom would say

"Let them bastards try and live on the wages we make.".

[The Mouth]

17. Nationalized the pharmaceutical industry

And all healthcare.

the worst, most corrupt and incompetent bureaucrat is better than the best insurance industry executive or for-profit health plan administrator.

[Wounded Bear]

18. "Moderates" or DINOs?

[joetheman]

19. Well maybe the Feds should pull out the Federal funds that to toward drug research and development.

Don't think for one minute that the government doesn't already subsidize drug development and research and clinical trials.