Posted on 08/16/2006 9:42:35 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is promoting his new discount drug plan as a "voluntary" agreement between pharmaceutical companies and the State of California. But it's more like a raw deal.
The California Prescription Drug Initiative calls upon drug manufacturers to offer five million low-income Californians huge discounts on prescription medications--up to 40% on brand-name drugs and a whopping 60% on generics.
Presumably, drug companies should offer these discounts out of the goodness in their hearts. But if they don't comply? Well, then they'll be coerced by the Terminator.
Companies failing to sell drugs at the government-imposed discount prices within five years can be kicked out of Medi-Cal, the multibillion-dollar health coverage system for low-income Californians.
Specifically, the discounted drugs would be available to uninsured Californians with incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level. That's $60,000 for a family of four. Certain Californians--like a family earning less than $68,310--with significant un-reimbursed medical expenses would also qualify.
"Our hope is the hammer won't be necessary," says California Secretary of Health and Human Services Kim Belshe.
--snip--
There are good reasons to resist Gov. Schwarzenegger's drug deal.
For starters, most drug companies already have programs offering discounted--or even free--medicines for those in need.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
This idea (sic) stinks!
this a-hole liberal vote whore should go back to making rock'em-sock'em movies that don't require articulation skills.....well, at this late date, at least for token cameo appearances, LOL
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)
What happened to that guy that admired Milton Friedman?
Every time the Austrain comes up with one of his Raw Deals I think of these two fryers clucking around the hen house.
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