Drug Makers Hope to Avoid Bitter Pill in Final Legislation

[The Straight Story]

Drug Makers Hope to Avoid Bitter Pill in Final Legislation

After helping torpedo the Clinton health-care plan 15 years ago, the pharmaceutical industry has largely held its tongue this time.

The reason is it doesn't want to undermine an $80 billion deal with Democrats to help pay for an overhaul that could end up benefiting the industry.

But liberal Democrats now have stepped up their fire against that deal, which may force the industry to up its financial ante. One key factor is a last-minute push by liberals to eliminate a gap in Medicare drug coverage that forces some seniors to pay a significant portion of the cost of their drugs.

The health-care overhaul approved by the House would eliminate that gap, dubbed the doughnut hole, but the Senate bill set for a vote Thursday doesn't entirely cover it. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada talked about closing the doughnut hole in the final version of the legislation, heightening pressure on drug makers to contribute more than the $80 billion in overhaul concessions.

Ken Johnson, a spokesman for the drug industry's trade group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, said Wednesday that there hadn't been any discussions with the Senate or White House about redoing the original deal reached in June. He said that "$80 billion is a huge amount of money, and it's forcing our companies to make some very difficult decisions."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126161899703803725.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[niyad]

1. oh please, like they really expect us to believe they are worried--they WROTE the damned crap, along

with the cartel.

BS window dressing.