NEW YORK, July 29, 2007

Under The Influence

60 Minutes' Steve Kroft Reports On Drug Lobbyists' Role in Passing Bill That Keeps Drug Prices High

  • Play CBS Video Video Under The Influence

    Steve Kroft reports on how the pharmaceutical industry lobby influenced Congress to pass the Medicare prescription drug law, a night on the Hill one representative calls the "ugliest" he's ever seen.

  • Video Kroft's Reporter's Notebook

    Only On The Web: Steve Kroft discusses his "60 Minutes" segment on the Medicare prescription drug bill and how the pharmaceutical lobby works in Washington.

  • Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), left, and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) offer a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Congress. Jones calls the lobbyist-induced frenzy to pass the Medicare prescription drug bill in the U.S. House of Representatives two years ago the Photo

    Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), left, and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) offer a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Congress. Jones calls the lobbyist-induced frenzy to pass the Medicare prescription drug bill in the U.S. House of Representatives two years ago the "ugliest night" he has ever seen in politics.  (CBS)

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(CBS)  Scully was the administration's lead negotiator on the prescription drug bill, and at the time was also negotiating a job for himself with a high-powered Washington law firm, where he became a lobbyist with the pharmaceutical industry.

"He was negotiating for his job at the same time that the Medicare legislation was being considered. He wound up taking this job 10 days after the president signed this legislation," says Pollack.

It is but one example of the incestuous relationship between Congress and the industry, and just one of the reasons the pharmaceutical lobby almost never loses a political battle that affects its bottom line.

Former Congressman Billy Tauzin, who helped push the prescription drug bill through the House, didn't disagree.

Has the bill been good for the drug industry?

"It's been good for the patients whom the drug industry represents …" Tauzin says. "In terms of profits — [for the drug companies] and volumes, yes."

Says Kroft: "Your old friend, John Dingell, says that of the 1,500 bills over the last eight years dealing with pharmaceutical issues, the drug companies almost, without exception, have gotten what they wanted."

"Yeah … I would think he's correct. They've done fairly well," replies Tauzin.

Why has this lobby been so successful? The former congressman says he believes it's because they stood for the right things.

If Tauzin sounds a lot like a lobbyist for the drug industry, that's because now he is.

Just a few months after the prescription drug bill passed, Tauzin began discussions with the pharmaceutical industry to become its chief lobbyist in Washington. He says it was one of several lucrative offers he's received just before he got some very bad news.

"I got a call from a doctor in Bethesda who said, 'You got cancer. And it's extremely rare. And it could kill ya.' And then everything changed," Tauzin says.

Tauzin had a cancerous tumor removed from his intestines and was treated with a new medicine, called Avastin, that had never been used before on that form of cancer.

The treatment was successful, and as a result Tauzin says he felt he owed his life to the drug industry. After serving out his congressional term, he accepted a $2 million-a-year job as president of PhRMA — Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

"There was an extraordinary moment when my wife literally looked me in the eye and said, 'Look, you're gonna do well wherever you go, Billy … You got a lot a great offers … And maybe you oughta think about working for the people that struggle everyday to try to invent the medicines that save lives like yours.'

"And that was a pretty important moment in my life," Tauzin says. "And it was the moment I decided that this was the work I wanted to do — headaches and all."

Continued



© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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by cantshutup April 1, 2007 5:48 PM EDT
shouldn't this be in the politics or u.s. news section?????
Reply to this comment
by bfnelms April 1, 2007 7:32 PM EDT
How I would like to hear Steve Kroft on Congress's response to pharmaceutical lobbyists.

BUT until I see or hear an apology from Katie Couric (or preferably a resignation) regarding her non-professional, biased, neoconservative approach to her interview of the Edwards, no morfe 60 Minutes for me.

It is simply journalistically unforgivable to lead off questions with "people say." Thos of us who know her know that she was simply activing as a shill for Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly and "journalists" of their ilk--of which she is clearly just one more.

What she did not do was to admit publicly that she continued to work, making millions a year, while her husband was dying of cancer. What she did not do was cite the positive examples of people like Lance Armstrong. What she did not do was to give John Edwards the chance to talk about a single issue beyond defending himself against charges of negligence of his wife and children. (Will she show the same concern for the first (and second and third) wife of such candidates as Newt Gingerich, Rudy Guliani, John McCain?
Reply to this comment
by bfnelms April 1, 2007 7:37 PM EDT
Of course, as a good journalist Katie Couric should have scheduled the interview with the Edwards last Sunday.

Of course, she should have asked the hard questions: How did you and your wife make the decision to continue your campaign when the recurrence of cancer became known? How do you respond to Rush Limbaugh who says, "...."? What will you tell potential supporters and financial backers who ask how you will react if (God forbid!) your wife's cancer worsens during your campaign or during your presidency (if you were to be elected)?

Each of these questions could have been asked once--and thoughtfully. Instead what we got was a harangue. The same questions over and over again, in a cold, snippy tone, with the underlying assumption that Mrs. Edwards is dying--now.

If only she had ever, once shown the same insistent tone in questioning members of the Bush regime, esp. the VP . . . . But no, never!

So, so long 60 Minutes. You fallen to a journalistic low. Henceforth, I will go elsewhere for unbiased coverage--or, at least, for coverage that labels its own bias.

Neoconservatism is NOT news. It's opinion. Some people say it's even neo-fascism. Some people . . . . Hmmm, wonder who they might have been.

(Google it!)
Reply to this comment
by wagsreed April 1, 2007 10:36 PM EDT
In the opening commentary of this interview, Steve refers to Dan Burton as a Rep. from Illinois. I live in Fishers, IN and unfornately Dan Burton is my Rep.. If Illinois is interested in him, they can have him. Just let them know he normally doesn't show up to vote .....
Reply to this comment
by rjstolba April 1, 2007 10:41 PM EDT
What can the average American do to STOP the crooks who sell our votes to the highest bidder? And don't tell me to write my Congressional reps. That doesn't work!!!! Tauzin isn't the only greedy sleeze in the Congress. Both sides follow the same GOD--the almighty buck. What happened to integrity, decency. honor, morals, etc? They never stop amazing me. I always think that one day they will all wake up and realize what they are doing to us and to themselves. Pardon my naivete.
Reply to this comment
by chezchas April 1, 2007 10:44 PM EDT
Re: PhRMA and the drug benefit. Mr. Pollack displays a breathtaking ignorance about how the non-negotiation language was added to the drug bill. Bill Clinton proposed it in his 1999 version and every Democratic bill thereafter (including those sponsored by Tom Daschle and Nancy Pelosi) included the language. The reason: precisely because--said the Democrats--they didn't want Medicare to be as limited as the VA in the drugs it offered. Pollack is also wrong when he talks about how the VA "negotiates" drug prices: it doesn't. By law, the VA price controls its limited drug choices, statutorily receiving at least 24% off of commerical pricing.
Reply to this comment
by freshideas-2009 April 1, 2007 10:47 PM EDT
I was pleased and surprised at Steve Kroft's hard-hitting story on the way Congress works, lured, and pressured by the money-laden and money-hungry lobbyists, in this case the powerful pharmaceutical industry. The reason I was surprised is that I see hundreds of pharmaceutical ads on TV every day, and the independence of this piece despite that potential muffler, the courage to tell it like it is, was indeed a breath of fresh air! Steve Kroft also did an excellent job of substantiating the allegations being made, with hard evidence, and allowing the views of the accused to be heard (ludicrous though they might be - that wasn't Steve's fault!) My only other comment is that I wish some investigative reporter would really delve into the European health care systems and why they get so much better results for so much less money. In part, at least, it is because they recognize that drugs are not the be-all of health care. Some - Germany, for example, have carefully researched traditional and herbal remedies and covered the ones proven safe and effective under their national health. Great Britain has a number of homeopathic hospitals - all covered under their national plan. Such alternatives are many, many times cheaper - and less dangerous - than prescription drugs, which injure or kill hundreds of thousands each year. Why isn't this being looked into? Maybe Steve's story has the answer.
Reply to this comment
by freshideas-2009 April 1, 2007 10:50 PM EDT
I was pleased and surprised at Steve Kroft's hard-hitting story on the way Congress works, lured, and pressured by the money-laden and money-hungry lobbyists, in this case the powerful pharmaceutical industry. The reason I was surprised is that I see hundreds of pharmaceutical ads on TV every day, and the independence of this piece despite that potential muffler, the courage to tell it like it is, was indeed a breath of fresh air! Steve Kroft also did an excellent job of substantiating the allegations being made, with hard evidence, and allowing the views of the accused to be heard (ludicrous though they might be - that wasn't Steve's fault!) My only other comment is that I wish some investigative reporter would really delve into the European health care systems and why they get so much better results for so much less money. In part, at least, it is because they recognize that drugs are not the be-all of health care. Some - Germany, for example, have carefully researched traditional and herbal remedies and covered the ones proven safe and effective under their national health. Great Britain has a number of homeopathic hospitals - all covered under their national plan. Such alternatives are many, many times cheaper - and less dangerous - than prescription drugs, which injure or kill hundreds of thousands each year. Why isn't this being looked into? Maybe Steve's story has the answer.
Reply to this comment
by michaela64 April 1, 2007 10:57 PM EDT
Just another corrupt politician(s) who will have to answer to God for his/their love for money.

In Money We Trust!
Reply to this comment
by daddyandmomm April 1, 2007 11:11 PM EDT
Thank you so much for this story!! It shows how corupt Congress is and people that lobby should be illegal!! I'd like to see them pass a bill on that!! All the other countries in the world look at us and say "Money greedy America!!" Another price we have to pay for people turning their backs on God. Our Christian founding fore-fathers turning over in their graves!!
Reply to this comment
by terrynugent April 1, 2007 11:17 PM EDT
Your story on Medicare Part D is by far the most biased, partisan piece of garbage I have ever suffered through, and that says a lot considering the source.

Taking a program that has givem 95% of seniors drug coverage with which they are highly satisfied and make it sound like some sort of criminal conspiracy is a a moral and journalistic outrage.

The Dems are so mad the Republicans passed Part D because the Democrats wanted to pass it!
The benefit would never have been passed with price controls, so seniors have gotten years of benefit thanks to the Republicans. In fact the program is UNDER budget, a hugely significant fact you witheld from the public. The VA program you so laud lost droves of Veterans to Part D because it doesn't cover many drugs they need.

If you so deplore the industry, stop taking their commercial dollars. If yu don't, you will reveal yourselves to the world as the miserable, despicable hypocrites you are.
Reply to this comment
by deep_think April 1, 2007 11:17 PM EDT
60 Minutes got it wrong!! The 2003 Medicare Act already has the rules to cut drug prices, but the Bush Administration has decided not to enforce the them. For example, patients don't need the the more expensive cholesterol reducer, such as Lipitor, when a cheaper and inexpensive generic version is available. It's called therapeutic substitution, it's done in Germanu, and the 200s Medicare legislation allows it.

The 60 Minutes producers need to learn the real industry structure, especially how drug formularies work and ask the right questions of the policy makers and the Bush administration and put together a real expose!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by gatorman442 April 1, 2007 11:32 PM EDT
The representatives who passed this most expensive bill in history during the wee hours of the morning, know that they have sinned against humanity. They will suffer in hell for their terrible deed. They should be imprisoned for treason against their fellow man !
Reply to this comment
by ranger215 April 1, 2007 11:56 PM EDT
Thank you Steve Kroft for another in a long string of excellent reports. My only question is regarding the timeliness of the segment's airing. Was this segment 'supressed' by CBS management as long as it was to maintain the steady stream of drug company advertising revenue? Other than that, keep up the great work!
Reply to this comment
by elz523 April 1, 2007 11:57 PM EDT
The cons at work again. Cons are supposed to be for limited government, evidently that doesn't apply to anything that lines the pockets of their friends.

This is revealing. How can a con defend not allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with the drug industry? I'd love to hear the answer.
Reply to this comment
by April 2, 2007 12:11 AM EDT
On tonight's program, Steve Croft's voice over identified Dan Burton as being from Illinois but he is from Indiana.
Reply to this comment
by April 2, 2007 12:17 AM EDT
On tonight's program, Steve Croft's voice over identified Dan Burton as being from Illinois but he is from Indiana.
Reply to this comment
by nagamaki April 2, 2007 12:22 AM EDT
Since at least the days of Lincoln, fascism (Corporate Authoritarian rule), has been steadily brewing on the American horizon in the Nations capital, and it finally reached its peak climax when the Republicans took over power of the Congress and the White House at the same time. After all absolute power corrupts absolutely. If Americans do not decide to throw all of the corrupt politicians, republicans and democrats alike, out of the people's house along with all their corrupt Corporate lobbyist friends come election 2008, this republic founded upon the principles of Democracy will be lost!

What is most worrisome in regards to tonights report is knowing Democrats such as Hillary Clinton, is accepting the same corrupt Pharma money that corrupted Bush and the Republicans leading to this fleecing of America. It's little wonder no one is talking about campaign finance reform.

No wonder Republicans are so incredibly anti-environment, they are profiting from all the sickness resulting from our polluted air, water, and land. In the end all will be punished!
Reply to this comment
by amizetta April 2, 2007 12:23 AM EDT
I watch the news regularly. Where were these 2 gentlemen a few years ago when this hose job was happening. Do they feel better 3 years after the fact. The man who pushed the bill and got the 2 mill job should be prosecuted for something. That's unbelievable. And you wonder why people don't trust the gov't.
Reply to this comment
by murfgw April 2, 2007 12:33 AM EDT
Please let history reinvent itself. What we need is a President or Congressmen that follow Teddy Roosevelt actions of "TRUST BUSTING". If the trusts of the early 1900's controlled prices by limiting competition, then the pharmaceutical industry does them one better by controlling politicians and get their control established by laws. A monopoly defined as total control of an industry surely applies to a trust run by the pharmaceutical industry. Hope that a trustbuster or two come to the forefront. And that someone could look at the anti-trust acts. And hopefully that after they straighten out the pharmaceutical control that maybe they can take on the petroleum industry.
Reply to this comment
by evaleon April 2, 2007 1:27 AM EDT
Mr. Kroft, don't let Tauzin call you "cynical" when he is the one receiving a high-paid job for preventing the provision for negotiating drug prices in the Medicare Drug Bill.
Reply to this comment
by craigprater April 2, 2007 1:33 AM EDT
"Under the Influence" segment produced by Ira Rosen with the interview by Steve Kroft may be one of the most exposing, powerful segments ever presented on 60 Minutes. Bravo! It's now up to all of us as citizens to do something about this. Craig Prater, Palm Springs, CA
Reply to this comment
by fairandbal April 2, 2007 1:34 AM EDT
CBS, where the hell were you in reporting this when it happened. Everyone else who was paying attention knew we were being screwed by this legislation, that it was just a give away to the drug companies. but like all MSM, you were totally going to let it pass. Shame on you for taking so long wake up. you're working for the American people, not your corporate sponsers!
America we need to find a more independent media or we're all going to lose our democracy.
Reply to this comment
by ohmissy April 2, 2007 1:34 AM EDT
There should be a rule in which members of congress cannot work in the drug industry for 5 years after leaving congress.

It's shameful the way those congressmen/women pushed to keep full drug prices in the prescription drug plan. How they sleep at night, I'll never know.
Reply to this comment
by saule2 April 2, 2007 2:12 AM EDT
The story about Medicare drug pricing just proves what most people believe; a good many of our politicians are corrupt, putting their financial interests ahead of their contituents. They have been dictating prices to doctors for years. What is keeping them from doing the same thing with the pharmaceutical companies? They seem to be saying what Cuba Gooding said in JERRY MAGUIRE; "SHOW ME THE MONEY!".

Saul Eisenstat, MD
Reply to this comment
by absnowbird April 2, 2007 3:51 AM EDT
This story is just the tip of the iceberg. Pharmaceutical companies, food producers, medical researchers & the government are intentionally %u201Cpoisoning%u201D people all in the name of profit. The chemicals put in food (ever read a food label?), the thousands of drugs that are "pushed" through the media (ever notice how many drug ads run during a television show?) & genetically engineered foods (this is the scariest one) all make one sick, fat & addicted. And the government then brainwashes the general population by categorically stating that all of these things are safe. Doesn't take a genius to figure out how it works. The corporations work hand-in-hand. Government agencies are basically owned by these huge corporations & receive pay-offs, through lobbyists, for passing ridiculous bills.
Reply to this comment
by canyoutellme-2009 April 2, 2007 4:16 AM EDT
we need to pass a major law.. the law would state simply this..

LOBBYING IS ILLEGAL.. How many congresspeople would vote for this? I'd say ZERO.. so let's vote them ALL out next election and instead vote in people that no one has ever heard of.. you know, REAL working people; NOT career politicians. Limit terms for House members to TWO maximum... PERIOD. These career politicians make me SICK... ALL of them.
Reply to this comment
by ajscooter April 2, 2007 4:42 AM EDT
THE MEDICARE STORY 60 MINUTES STORY

THIS IS A FORM OF PRICE FIXING

WE WOULD BE ARRESTED FOR DOING SOMETHING LIKE THE

SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE, OR
Reply to this comment
by sarge591 April 2, 2007 6:26 AM EDT
Mr. Tauzin is a corrupt politican who should be jailed. His attitude is such that I am above the law and to bad. Now I know what the word "SLIMBALL" MEANS. Only the Bush Administration would allow such behavior.
Reply to this comment
by pewing6 April 2, 2007 7:47 AM EDT
The pharmaceutical companies have replaced the tobacco industry of the past. Instead of cute commercials about the benefits of cigaretts, we now have commercials convincing us to take prescription drugs to make our lives more tolerable. The most disturbing thing is that our government is bought and paid for by these companies. Any other group of individuals that tried to pull a con like this would likely go to jail. But when the president of the USA is the "Godfather" of the organization and his henchmen are high ranking (slimeball!!) politicians, anything goes.
Reply to this comment
by formrusmcsgt April 2, 2007 10:28 AM EDT
Bush has already stated that he would veto the bill Congress has passed requiring the government to negotiate for lower prices from the pharmaceutical companies.

Bush claims that he is for fair trade, but not when it comes to the pharmaceutical companies. In that case, he's for rape.
Reply to this comment
by forthepeaple April 2, 2007 11:04 AM EDT
well wake up america! Its a new world today? why you may ask? because it is time to put a end to our government.!! how you may ask? by this and i hope everyone listting. so get it out there anyway you can ok here goes, sence our own government doesn't want to follow our constitution or any other laws, we the people of this united states of america will not give or PAY ANY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT TAXES,WE WILL TELL OUR WORK PLACE TO CHANGE OUR DEDUCTION TO SAY 10 SO NO TAXES WILL COME OUT. TRY TO RUN THIS COUNTRY WITH NO MONEY COMMING IN..THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN STOP THE BLEEDING IN THIS COUNTRY..

I HOPE EVERY AMERICAN DOES EXECTLY WHAT I STATED HERE, GET THE WORD OUT
Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 April 2, 2007 11:11 AM EDT
CBS, where the hell were you in reporting this when it happened. Everyone else who was paying attention knew we were being screwed by this legislation, that it was just a give away to the drug companies. but like all MSM, you were totally going to let it pass. Shame on you for taking so long wake up. you're working for the American people, not your corporate sponsers!
America we need to find a more independent media or we're all going to lose our democracy.
Posted by fairandbal at 10:34 PM : Apr 01, 2007

What good would it have done with the Fascist in control of the congress? It would have been treated like so many other very important issues while THEY debated how they could keep a Brian Dead Woman on Life Support. Let's face it people the PROBLEM started and stopped with the Republican Party and it's Southern Fascist Wing, plain and simple.
Reply to this comment
by radiob-2009 April 2, 2007 11:18 AM EDT
How many wannabe presidential contenders voted for this?
Reply to this comment
by forthepeaple April 2, 2007 11:23 AM EDT
well wake up america! Its a new world today? why you may ask? because it is time to put a end to our government.!! how you may ask? by this and i hope everyone listting. so get it out there anyway you can ok here goes, sence our own government doesn't want to follow our constitution or any other laws, we the people of this united states of america will not give or PAY ANY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT TAXES,WE WILL TELL OUR WORK PLACE TO CHANGE OUR DEDUCTION TO SAY 10 SO NO TAXES WILL COME OUT. TRY TO RUN THIS COUNTRY WITH NO MONEY COMMING IN..THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN STOP THE BLEEDING IN THIS COUNTRY..

I HOPE EVERY AMERICAN DOES EXECTLY WHAT I STATED HERE, GET THE WORD OUT
Reply to this comment
by medicare1 April 2, 2007 11:58 AM EDT
60 Minutes reporter Steve Croft noted that Lipitor and Zocor were cheaper under the VA program. In fact, for those two drugs, most beneficiaries pay a $30 monthly co-pay for each drug, far less than they'd pay under VA coverage, even with a monthly premium (which can vary widely among seniors). Indeed, nearly a third of VA beneficiaries are enrolled in Part D precisely because of lower costs and wider, more convenient access to drugs.

Consumer choice and competition should determine drug prices - not the government.
Reply to this comment
by medicare3 April 2, 2007 12:07 PM EDT
Moreover, comparing the VA health-care delivery system with the Medicare program is comparing apples to oranges. The VA has a government pricing system, strict adherence to a national formulary, and a limited distribution system owned and operated by the VA., with 80 percent of prescriptions dispensed through mail order. By contrast, Part D gives beneficiaries a choice of plans that cover a wide range of prescription drugs, access to more than 50,000 convenient retail pharmacies, and low premiums aggressively negotiated by the drug plans.
Reply to this comment
by medicare4 April 2, 2007 12:10 PM EDT
Government price setting could limit drug choices for seniors and would have a "negligible effect on federal spending," according to the independent Congressional Budget Office, which is echoed by the CMS actuaries. Even the Clinton administration opposed government interference in drug price negotiations. The White House Press Release from March 9, 2000 explains: "Discounts should be achieved through competition, not regulation or price controls, and should mirror practices employed by private insurers in delivering prescription drugs. Private organizations should negotiate prices with drug manufacturers and handle the day-to-day administrative responsibilities of the benefit." This is exactly what is occurring to make the drug benefit so successful. The concept of the government not interfering with private market negotiations was not something that the pharmaceutical lobbyists dropped in at the last minute, contrary to what your story portrayed.
Reply to this comment
by misha131 April 2, 2007 12:10 PM EDT
Republicans in the Senate and house just last week complain of entitlement issues with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. The truth of the story is here with a Republican Congress (House and Senate) and a Republican President; the Republicans chose of their own free will to stick the American taxpayers with one of the largest entitlement programs in history. Stacked of course in the clear favor of the industry and their lobbyists to the detriment of the American citizens. Remember when you point at someone else there are more fingers pointing at you.
Reply to this comment
by medicare7 April 2, 2007 12:19 PM EDT
First, seniors are saving an average of $1,200 annually on their drug costs. And, average monthly premiums for the basic benefit have dropped from the original estimate of $38 to $22.

Second, an overwhelming number of seniors like the benefit. Satisfaction rates are between 75 and 80 percent in all major surveys.

Third, in addition to reaching and improving the lives of the vast majority of its intended beneficiaries, the net Medicare cost of Part D has come in $189 Billion under the CMS Office of the Actuary's original estimates.
The fact that the Congressional Budget Office and the CMS Office of the Actuary differed in their estimates of the Bill was no secret. Three months before the House voted on the Medicare Modernization Act, David Rogers reported in the Wall Street Journal that "Republicans and the White House are convinced long-term savings will result, as private health plans compete and provide nongovernment alternatives for beneficiaries. But the Congressional Budget Office and Medicare actuaries at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) remain far apart in how they score the early impact of certain provisions." See "Varying Medicare-Cost Analyses Dog House-Senate Negotiators," Wall Street Journal, Sept. 30, 2003, p. B 10.
Reply to this comment
by medicare8 April 2, 2007 12:23 PM EDT
The Medicare prescription drug benefit has been an unprecedented success.
As a result of its passage, 39 million Medicare beneficiaries now have some form of drug coverage and better, healthier lives. But that's not
what was portrayed on your unbalanced and incomplete segment on this significant health care achievement.---Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Reply to this comment
by king77shaw April 2, 2007 12:27 PM EDT
this Republican bill has been a disaster for seniors and a goldmine for pharmaceuticals. it has reduced my 84 year old mother to tears trying to figure it out and it's costing MORE not less. don't believe the Republican misinformation, they are no longer capable of telling the truth about anything.
Reply to this comment
by forthepeaple April 2, 2007 12:41 PM EDT
well wake up america! Its a new world today? why you may ask? because it is time to put a end to our government.!! how you may ask? by this and i hope everyone listting. so get it out there anyway you can ok here goes, sence our own government doesn't want to follow our constitution or any other laws, we the people of this united states of america will not give or PAY ANY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT TAXES,WE WILL TELL OUR WORK PLACE TO CHANGE OUR DEDUCTION TO SAY 10 SO NO TAXES WILL COME OUT. TRY TO RUN THIS COUNTRY WITH NO MONEY COMMING IN..THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN STOP THE BLEEDING IN THIS COUNTRY..

I HOPE EVERY AMERICAN DOES EXECTLY WHAT I STATED HERE, GET THE WORD OUT.

THIS GOVERNMENT IS AND WILL NOT HELP THE AVERAGE AMERICAN SO EVERYONE BETTER WAKE UP AND TAKE CONTROL OF OUR GOVERNMENT NOW BEFORE ITS TO LATE.

IF YOU SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING, THAN DONT SAY A WORD, THIS IS TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK.

THIS GOVERNMENT HAS LIED,CHE
Reply to this comment
by forthepeaple April 2, 2007 12:41 PM EDT
well wake up america! Its a new world today? why you may ask? because it is time to put a end to our government.!! how you may ask? by this and i hope everyone listting. so get it out there anyway you can ok here goes, sence our own government doesn't want to follow our constitution or any other laws, we the people of this united states of america will not give or PAY ANY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT TAXES,WE WILL TELL OUR WORK PLACE TO CHANGE OUR DEDUCTION TO SAY 10 SO NO TAXES WILL COME OUT. TRY TO RUN THIS COUNTRY WITH NO MONEY COMMING IN..THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN STOP THE BLEEDING IN THIS COUNTRY..

I HOPE EVERY AMERICAN DOES EXECTLY WHAT I STATED HERE, GET THE WORD OUT.

THIS GOVERNMENT IS AND WILL NOT HELP THE AVERAGE AMERICAN SO EVERYONE BETTER WAKE UP AND TAKE CONTROL OF OUR GOVERNMENT NOW BEFORE ITS TO LATE.

IF YOU SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING, THAN DONT SAY A WORD, THIS IS TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK.

THIS GOVERNMENT HAS LIED,CHEATTED YOU, AND WILL NOT FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THIS COUNTRY, SO WHY SHOULD WE..

SO GO AHEAD DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO TREAT EVERYDAY LIKE THEY DO WITH NO RESPECT TO THE LAWS AND OUR CONSTITUTION OR BILL OF RIGHTS, SO GO AHEAD HAVE FUN LIKE THEY DO ALL IN WASHINGTON....FREE AMERICA GOT TO LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by forthepeaple April 2, 2007 12:41 PM EDT
well wake up america! Its a new world today? why you may ask? because it is time to put a end to our government.!! how you may ask? by this and i hope everyone listting. so get it out there anyway you can ok here goes, sence our own government doesn't want to follow our constitution or any other laws, we the people of this united states of america will not give or PAY ANY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT TAXES,WE WILL TELL OUR WORK PLACE TO CHANGE OUR DEDUCTION TO SAY 10 SO NO TAXES WILL COME OUT. TRY TO RUN THIS COUNTRY WITH NO MONEY COMMING IN..THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN STOP THE BLEEDING IN THIS COUNTRY..

I HOPE EVERY AMERICAN DOES EXECTLY WHAT I STATED HERE, GET THE WORD OUT.

THIS GOVERNMENT IS AND WILL NOT HELP THE AVERAGE AMERICAN SO EVERYONE BETTER WAKE UP AND TAKE CONTROL OF OUR GOVERNMENT NOW BEFORE ITS TO LATE.

IF YOU SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING, THAN DONT SAY A WORD, THIS IS TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK.

THIS GOVERNMENT HAS LIED,CHE
Reply to this comment
by forthepeaple April 2, 2007 12:41 PM EDT
well wake up america! Its a new world today? why you may ask? because it is time to put a end to our government.!! how you may ask? by this and i hope everyone listting. so get it out there anyway you can ok here goes, sence our own government doesn't want to follow our constitution or any other laws, we the people of this united states of america will not give or PAY ANY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT TAXES,WE WILL TELL OUR WORK PLACE TO CHANGE OUR DEDUCTION TO SAY 10 SO NO TAXES WILL COME OUT. TRY TO RUN THIS COUNTRY WITH NO MONEY COMMING IN..THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN STOP THE BLEEDING IN THIS COUNTRY..

I HOPE EVERY AMERICAN DOES EXECTLY WHAT I STATED HERE, GET THE WORD OUT.

THIS GOVERNMENT IS AND WILL NOT HELP THE AVERAGE AMERICAN SO EVERYONE BETTER WAKE UP AND TAKE CONTROL OF OUR GOVERNMENT NOW BEFORE ITS TO LATE.

IF YOU SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING, THAN DONT SAY A WORD, THIS IS TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK.

THIS GOVERNMENT HAS LIED,CHEATTED YOU, AND WILL NOT FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THIS COUNTRY, SO WHY SHOULD WE..

SO GO AHEAD DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO TREAT EVERYDAY LIKE THEY DO WITH NO RESPECT TO THE LAWS AND OUR CONSTITUTION OR BILL OF RIGHTS, SO GO AHEAD HAVE FUN LIKE THEY DO ALL IN WASHINGTON....FREE AMERICA GOT TO LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
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by oleander8 April 2, 2007 12:43 PM EDT
To all the lobbyists posting here to defend the industry's predatory practices -- who do you think you are kidding?

To all the politicians who caved to the pharmaceutical lobbyists - "public service"? - who do you think you are hurting? You may be insulated from the disaster, but don't you have extended families? neighbors? friends? Have you no conscience?

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by toldyouso21 April 2, 2007 1:57 PM EDT
For posters named Medicare 1-99: WE DON'T LIKE PAID HACKS. Blogs are about individuals getting their views out front and debating them with othe individuals. It is not about propaganda, Rendon groups, or paid persons from certain lobbies who think by engaging in discourse here, they gain an audience or converts.

You actually gain neither. On the one hand, all of you are to be commended identifying yourselves soooo well (though we probably could have smelled the stench of complicity anyway) on the other hand,the idea that industry, (or a political party or the government) would pose as independent thinkers when really they are paid hacks of an established group is despicable. We don't fall for it when Bush and Co. do it so we are not falling for it when an adjunct of B & C do it. Stick to bribing Congress, the PEOPLE despise you.
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by frankly6 April 2, 2007 1:57 PM EDT


Our governments own top acountant has been touring the country warning Americans that the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan will soon bankrupt the country. It will singlehandedly add at least a trillion dollars to the national debt.

The plan was written by the drug companies for their benefit and makes it illegal for medicare, the single biggest purchaser of pharmacueticals, to use their buying power to negotiate reasonable prices. Every other nation in the world negotiates drug prices for it's citizens. Why don't we? Because the GOP Congress sold out to lobbyists.



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by bobepeel April 2, 2007 2:12 PM EDT
Another slap in the face of American citizens. If the VA can negotiate a deal with drug companies why can't we? Our elected congress men only seem to be interested in lining their own pockets and emptying ours. We are not a bottomless pit and one day the the chickens are going to come home to roost. The politicians have their own health and retirement plans that cover all their needs until death do they part. I am sick of paying my taxes and doing the right think while the government continues on doing what it *** well pleases.
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