Drug discounts rejected (Colorado)

[ProSense]

Article Launched: 05/03/2006 01:00:00 AM MDT
legislature 2006
Drug discounts rejected
Colo. House's vote a blow to uninsured. The House OK'd another measure requiring the state to join a drug-buying pool, but it may be vetoed.

By Chris Frates
Denver Post Staff Writer

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The 35-30 defeat of House Bill 1100 raises doubts about whether Democrats will be able to deliver on their promise to provide discounted drugs to the uninsured.

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Democrats had planned to send both Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1100 to Owens with the hope that at least one would become law. But the leadership lost support for House Bill 1100 when pharmacies, HMOs and a business coalition joined lobbying forces against it.

Democratic Speaker Pro Tempore Cheri Jahn said she opposed the bill because not all the groups affected were involved in the negotiations.

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House Bill 1100 had been touted as a compromise measure by Republicans, Democrats, labor-union leaders and the pharmaceutical industry.

Teresa Heinz Kerry, whose foundation helped craft the bill, last month touted the bill during a speech in Denver as "some of the freshest, most original work on health-care policy that we have seen for quite some time."

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3777939

[rockymountaindem]

1. That's a weird turnabout

I don't know why they would do that. Perhaps they're holding out for something better, but they'll have to wait until after the election now. I don't think this was a good strategic move. As for Owens vetoing a buying pool bill, I wouldn't be surprised. I'll be glad when he's gone and we have Governor Ritter in January.

[ProSense]

2. Three votes the other way and it woud have passed. n/t