Update: Reid files cloture motions; TheHill: ‘Pharma deal holding up bipartisan rx health amendment’
Update from Kaiser, appears Dingy Harry is going to pull a fast one and IS blocking the RX Reimportation Bill from a vote, 200 Billion a year Americans spend on their RXs. Well this is just one more nail in the electoral coffin for the Democratic majority:
CongressDaily: “Senate Majority Leader [Harry] Reid plans to file a package of cloture motions next week that would allow a final vote on healthcare legislation before the Senate goes home for Christmas, a leadership aide said today.” He plans to offer “simultaneous cloture motions” for the overall bill, for a substitute amendment and for a manager’s amendment containing “key compromises.” The plan “came to light as senators from both parties wondered why leaders have not scheduled a vote on an amendment to allow reimportation of cheaper prescription drugs, which appears to have enough votes to pass” (Friedman and Edney, 12/10).
In a time of incredibly high unemployment, at least three Democratic Senators are blocking a bipartisan amendment that has the votes to pass, that will save many Americans hundreds of dollars a year or more on their health care costs..
…Democratic senators from states home to pharmaceutical companies, including Tom Carper (Del.), Frank Lautenberg (N.J.) and Robert Menendez (N.J.), object to the amendment, citing concerns about ensuring the safety of medicines entering the U.S. supply chain from foreign sources. Congress Daily has reported that Carper (D-Del.) placed a hold on the amendment, but his office refused to comment to The Hill….
Okay neoprogs and libs still believing in Teh Oneness, riddle me this. Why oh why would The Hill which loves them some Obama report that the WH deal and the 3 Pharma state DEMOCRATIC Senators are blocking a TRUE BIPARTISAN, COST SAVING BILL THAT HAS THE VOTES TO PASS, THAT THIS PRESIDENT CAMPAIGNED ON??? Because it is true.
The message did not seem mixed to McCain, whom Obama defeated in the race for the White House last year. “The fix is in,” he said.
Durbin, asked if they are WHIPPING AGAINST THIS AMENDMENT, didnt say No, he said ‘well we did ask how they are voting…” THE FRAKKERS!!! One of the ONLY effective price reforms that will directly, immediately LOWER healthcare costs to AMERICAN CONSUMERS and they are KILLING IT?
Please call these yahoos and tell them WE DEMAND A VOTE!! Prescription reimportation should be allowed in FREE MARKETS with OPEN TRADE!!!!
A deal between the White House and the pharmaceutical industry is holding up a bipartisan amendment to allow the importation of cheaper prescription drugs from abroad, according to a member of the Senate Democratic leadership.
…Dorgan’s measure, which would permit bulk exports of medicines from countries such as Canada, enjoys broad and bipartisan support and likely has the backing of more than 60 senators, which would guarantee its adoption on the healthcare reform bill.
Tension between the White House and Democratic supporters of the so-called drug reimportation amendment is primarily behind the delay, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Thursday.
“There’s a political subtext here,” Durbin said. “It has to do with whether or not we can do as part of the impact on pharma in this bill and whether or not there are other things that are higher priorities.”
The White House and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) struck a deal this summer to limit the drug industry’s financial exposure under reform to $80 billion over 10 years, though its terms have never been fully disclosed.
President Barack Obama was one of the 35 co-sponsors of Dorgan’s drug reimportation legislation when Obama served in the Senate. In addition, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was a leading supporter of the House version of the bill when he served in the lower chamber….
HYPOCRITES!!!! And these Obots who railed against the Big Dawg and HRC are silent on this????? WTH???!?!?!?
Update: One Night Only! Dorgan & McCain LIVE from the Senate floor team up in support of the Drug Reimportation Amendment….
Update: Shows Added, lol! Even AP notes OBAMA is blocking this billions in savings for American consumers. Debate continues today:
A bipartisan group of lawmakers hopes to finally win a long struggle to ease curbs against importing low-cost prescription drugs but will have to overcome the Obama administration and the pharmaceutical industry to do so. The Senate was resuming debate Thursday on President Barack Obama’s drive to reshape the country’s care system. The most crucial work was being done behind closed doors, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and his lieutenants were hunting support for a tentative deal among moderate and liberal Democrats to expand the government’s role in providing care.
As predicted Team Obama has SOLD US DOWN THE RIVER for Pharma and Billy frakkin Tauzin. The FDA released a letter OPPOSING the Amendment allowing the reimportation of prescription drugs for American consumers. Obama is AGAIN betraying a promise he made throughout the campaign. This is one of the single biggest cost saving expenses for Americans in their healthcare costs. The FDA has the AUDACITY to claim drugs coming from CANADA are not SAFE!! HA!! Dorgan and MAC teamed up in a great vaudeville style debate today, punching holes in the ridiculous FDA statement..
…Allowing importation of prescription drugs from a select few countries such as Canada, Ireland, and parts of Europe could lower prices in this country, and Dorgan has an amendment to the health-care bill that would legalize the practice.
Tuesday, the FDA blew a hole in his amendment. In a letter, FDA Commissioner Peggy Hamburg said importing drugs would be unsafe, too complex and too expensive. The drug industry has also opposed the practice, pointing out that Europe, which allows some importation, has problems with counterfeit drugs.
On the floor of the Senate today, McCain played the set-up man, lobbing rhetorical softballs for Dorgan. Here’s a much-condensed version of some of the highlights. Watch the whole thing yourself, starting around minute 270 in this C-Span video
McCain: Isn’t it true that a letter was written to one of our colleagues from the administrator of the FDA?
Dorgan: The Senator from Arizona is correct. They say “We don’t have the resources.” This amendment provides the resources for them. The people that are selling [imported drugs] will pay a fee.
McCain: It requires no additional funding from the taxpayer?
Dorgan: No additional funding from the taxpayer at all!
McCain: Could we say it would not propose any hazard to anyone’s health?
Dorgan: The countries that are involved in this amendment — and they are limited — are countries that have an identical chain of custody to our country.
On a roll now, Dorgan holds up two pill bottles and continues:
Both of these bottles contained Lipitor — most of my colleagues know what Lipitor is. And this was made by an American company in Ireland and shipped all over the world. This little bottle was shipped to the United States. This little bottle was shipped to Canada. What’s the difference? The price. The American consumer is told, guess what you get to do? You get to pay almost triple.
McCain: On behalf of the citizens of my state, I just want to say, thank you for your advocacy.
Moderate in the Middle 