Sen Chuck Grassley: Beating a Dead Horse
Do you suppose it is possible that Chuck Grassley and friends are missing the point? Prescription drug prices are merely one symptom of a health care system that is totally out of control. Another major symptom is the refusal of Congress to deal effectively with this problem.
From public and private sector components of the medical industry, including health insurance and medicare, to the legislature and the consuming public, we have it all wrong. Every facet of this issue is littered with no responsibility for the financial structure of providing health care. Providers are often unaware or unable to determine what to charge for services to break even. Consumers rely on insurance to cover the bulk of the cost. The government is complicit by adding to the pass the buck mentality on who pays for what. The system is so convoluted and drowning in regulations and paperwork it is ripe for fraud and abuse.
In other words Mr Grassley, your support of importing drugs from other countries solves nothing. There is no real competition or incentive for it in the health care system. And even if you were lucky enough to lower some prices it would not be universal nor would it affect the price of health care services. Even before the failed Clinton Administration health care reform, no one in Washington is interested in real health care reform. It is all smoke and mirrors and political rhetoric. Get a grip and do something real about health care or simply stop talking about something you will never fix.
C. Harris
MoreWhat.com
GRASSLEY: IT SHOULD BE LEGAL TO BUY CHEAPER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM OTHER
COUNTRIESSenator sponsors amendment to ensure timely access to safe, lower-priced pharmaceuticals
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance, today joined in proposing an amendment that would make it legal for U.S. consumers to buy safe prescription drugs from other countries.
The legislation was filed as an amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act that is under consideration this week by the U.S. Senate. Grassley sponsored the measure with Sens. Byron Dorgan and Olympia Snowe.
Why Americans Should Be Able to Import Drugs
(Sen. Chuck Grassley)
May 4th, 2007Making it legal for Americans to import their prescription drugs is a top priority at the grass roots. It needs to be a top priority here in Washington. I have long advocated allowing American consumers access to safe drugs from other countries.