(The hill) Trump drug pricing proposal puts GOP senators in a tough spot (1 Viewer)

[Chomsky]

(The Hill) Trump drug pricing proposal puts GOP senators in a tough spot
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Thune said Monday that Trump’s executive order would be “fairly controversial” if put into legislation on Capitol Hill

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who sits on the Senate Finance and Judiciary panels, expressed deep reservation about Trump’s proposal, and questioned who’s advising the president on the matter.

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An extremely interesting - to my mind - sequence of events transpired over the past 36 hours.

Donald Trump signed an Executive Order "lowering drug prices". And order that is fairly ineffectual, requiring legislation to codify it and effect law - it is to be meaningful.

In promulgating his E.O., Trump propagated a Democratic Party position & talking-point. It also is a position that is antithesis to the Republican Party, as they adamantly protect Big Pharma - as can be seen by my article excerpts above.

As seen above, Republican response to Trump's E.O. has been negative, with several heavyweights such as John Thune & Thom Tillis immediately coming-out against Trump.

On the Dem side of the aisle, Bernie Sanders came out in adamant & energetic support of Trump, though much of his party remained silent. No Democrats publicly oppose the plan, though.

Then the most amazing thing occurred . . .



. . . Ro Khanna introduced a Bill to codify Trump's E.O., challenging Republicans to join Dems in getting a bill to Trump for his signature!

Besides it being the right thing to do, I believe it is political genius!

Dems have been lying impotently on the sidelines, having - seemingly - no political capital to expend in challenging Trump. But now, could this finally be their break-out issue? The issue that they ride into the Midterms?

The Republican Congress Critters are well contained within the pocket of Big Pharma. They never go against the Pharma gravy-train they need for their electoral campaign cash. I think Dems can align with Trump to triangulate around them. And if the GOP don't capitulate, the Dems will ride the GOP defending pharma prices and the upcoming Medicaid cuts all the way into the Midterms.

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Am I the only one that thinks they see this?

 

[Slartibartfast]

If Trump can lower the cost of prescription drugs, I will support him on that issue.

 

[iliveonramen]

They need to realize he doesn't care about that party at all. He'll promise anything possible to try and raise his approval numbers. Throwing the Republican party under the bus and putting them into hard positions doesn't matter to him at all.

 

[Chomsky]

If Trump can lower the cost of prescription drugs, I will support him on that issue.

Agreed.

But this is a political discussion forum, and my attention was drawn to what may be a masterful political move by Mr. Khanna, hopefully with the support of his party.

Remember the Midterms will not just be about Trump, but about individual Republicans. To go against a drug bill in competitive Districts & States could be devastating. Particularly if the new Republican budget effects the Medicaid cuts believed to be in it.

My eyes, and my context, are on the Midterm politics!

 

[Chomsky]

They need to realize he doesn't care about that party at all. He'll promise anything possible to try and raise his approval numbers. Throwing the Republican party under the bus and putting them into hard positions doesn't matter to him at all.

This, my friend, is exactly my hope!

There's plenty of competitive Midterm races. I'd love to see the Dems align with Trump on some issues that may triangulate the GOP!

Whatever it takes to pick-up the required seats!

 

[Phys251]

If Trump can lower the cost of prescription drugs, I will support him on that issue.

There would be a catch. With tRump there's always a catch.

 

[Parrish]

The EO is not binding. Just more BS. Big Pharma didn't donate 100mill to the old guy or members of Congress for nothing. Any reduction will be nominal.

 

[Lovebug]

(The Hill) Trump drug pricing proposal puts GOP senators in a tough spot
--


--

An extremely interesting - to my mind - sequence of events transpired over the past 36 hours.

Donald Trump signed an Executive Order "lowering drug prices". And order that is fairly ineffectual, requiring legislation to codify it and effect law - it is to be meaningful.

In promulgating his E.O., Trump propagated a Democratic Party position & talking-point. It also is a position that is antithesis to the Republican Party, as they adamantly protect Big Pharma - as can be seen by my article excerpts above.

As seen above, Republican response to Trump's E.O. has been negative, with several heavyweights such as John Thune & Thom Tillis immediately coming-out against Trump.

On the Dem side of the aisle, Bernie Sanders came out in adamant & energetic support of Trump, though much of his party remained silent. No Democrats publicly oppose the plan, though.

Then the most amazing thing occurred . . .



. . . Ro Khanna introduced a Bill to codify Trump's E.O., challenging Republicans to join Dems in getting a bill to Trump for his signature!

Besides it being the right thing to do, I believe it is political genius!

Dems have been lying impotently on the sidelines, having - seemingly - no political capital to expend in challenging Trump. But now, could this finally be their break-out issue? The issue that they ride into the Midterms?

The Republican Congress Critters are well contained within the pocket of Big Pharma.

From your first article

The industry, which contributes generously to members of both parties,

They never go against the Pharma gravy-train they need for their electoral campaign cash. I think Dems can align with Trump to triangulate around them. And if the GOP don't capitulate, the Dems will ride the GOP defending pharma prices and the upcoming Medicaid cuts all the way into the Midterms.

--

Am I the only one that thinks they see this?

Lowering drug prices is a good thing. Sure, research must keep going but with so much money going into what amounts to bribery

Stephen J. Ubl, the president and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), said in a statement Sunday responding to Trump’s proposal that “PBMS, insurers and hospitals” right now “take 50 percent of every dollar spent for medicines.”

He said “the amount going to middlemen” in the United States “often exceed the price in Europe.”

it seems the funds aren't well spent.

 

[Chomsky]

The EO is not binding. Just more BS. Big Pharma didn't donate 100mill to the old guy or members of Congress for nothing. Any reduction will be nominal.

Unless, that is, Dems legislate it.

 

[Parrish]

Unless, that is, Dems legislate it.

I certainly hope so.

 

[Chomsky]

From your first article



Lowering drug prices is a good thing. Sure, research must keep going but with so much money going into what amounts to bribery

it seems the funds aren't well spent.

Yes, Big Pharma tosses money around to both parties.

But right now, it's a Dem sponsoring a bill. I hope his party joins in.

 

[Chomsky]

I certainly hope so.

Dems will need some (minimal), help from the GOP.

Well, the biggest help they need is getting Johnson to put it to the floor.

But I like how Khanna complicated things for the GOP, and it can get way more complicated if his party joins him.

And, perhaps best of all? We might get some legit help for the American People - if successful.

 

[Loulit01]

I read the EO, it's typical Trump bullshit. Big Pharma research is supported by U.S. tax dollars, and they sell the U.S. financed drugs cheaper around the world than in the U.S.

There is no deep state. It's not necessary. The endless ways taxpayers get scammed happen right out in the open in front of God and everybody.

It's going to take more than another Trump fail EO to fix this.

 

[Greenbeard]

Stephen J. Ubl, the president and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), said in a statement Sunday responding to Trump’s proposal that “PBMS, insurers and hospitals” right now “take 50 percent of every dollar spent for medicines.”

He said “the amount going to middlemen” in the United States “often exceed the price in Europe.”

it seems the funds aren't well spent.

Dec. 30 last year year:

Drug Middlemen Spared by Trump and Musk, for Now

Tucked into the bipartisan budget deal that President-elect Donald Trump’s allies torpedoed earlier this month was a rare and significant attempt to reform the mechanics of America’s drug-pricing system.

Americans are broadly aware of how big pharma profits from high drug prices, but few understand the market distortions introduced by pharmacy benefit management (PBM) companies that negotiate prices on behalf of employers, insurers and government programs.

The failed budget bill included provisions that would have addressed some of the misaligned incentives within the PBM business model. But health conglomerates Cigna, CVS Health and UnitedHealth Group, which own the three largest PBMs, caught a break when Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy and other Trump allies began agitating against the bill. This set off a frantic effort in Washington to pass a stripped-down version of the legislation that no longer contained many extraneous measures, including the PBM changes.

Dec. 31 last year:



“Smartest man in the world,” folks.