Brian Prows

Social Issues and Debatable Topics

  • Home
  • MobileBeyond
  • Brian on Twitter
You are here: Home / health / Health Care Reform Stifled by Drug Companies

Health Care Reform Stifled by Drug Companies

Health Care Costs

The Washington Post reported two unrelated stories that, considered together, demonstrate a concerted effort by large drug companies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to kill health care reform. The reports are disturbing and reveal two major challenges to controlling health care costs in the U.S.

First–and most disturbing–the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in concert with other unidentified business groups, are funding an “economic study” showing that health care reform would destroy jobs and worsen the economy.

Supposedly, a respected economist would do the dirty work of writing letters to other economists encouraging them to squash health care reform legislation now under consideration in Congress.

Second–and equally disturbing–the New England Journal of Medicine just published a study that, for the third time, claims Zetia and Vytorin, two cholesterol drugs with worldwide sales exceeding $4.5 billion dollars, are less effective unclogging arteries than a modified version of vitamin B3. Merck, the manufacturer, denies the study’s conclusion, of course.

It’s becoming clearer each day as health care legislation moves through Congress that our country is not united on changing a health care system that’s bringing us quickly to financial ruin.

The Russ Limbaughs of the world blabbering away on radio, shouting trite diatribes against Obama and Democrats who support change, is one thing. But it’s totally irresponsible for business groups and gargantuan drug companies to destroy our country for the financial benefit of stockholders and drug executives.

Excessive political and social influence by drug barons and unnamed “business groups” is not acceptable in a democracy. To argue that health care reform will eliminate jobs and ruin our economy is not only illogical; it clearly demonstrates the desperation of misinformed business leaders to halt structural changes leading to a healthier population and an economically stronger nation.

For years, drug manufacturers have done everything in their power–spending millions–to halt health care legislative reform. As a result, the cost of prescription medications has soared into the stratosphere, directly raising insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs to consumers. Seniors on Medicare, in particular, have suffered the most as supplemental insurance has drained the pockets of those most in need.

It’s time to put an end to this deliberate, obnoxious strategy of companies and individuals who benefit from the sickness of their fellow citizens.

Share

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: health, Health Care, Politics Tagged With: health, health care reform, health care system, medicine

Categories

Health Care Benefits for Congress?

To the Congress of the United States regarding your health care benefits: Over the weekend with the Senate's narrow but passing vote to "debate" health care legislation, it's become crystal clear that some members of Congress don't care about the health care crisis. With a few exceptions, the … [Read More...]

Bridges Connect People in the Bay Area? Drain the Bay

Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area awoke again today not knowing how to quickly commutel from one side of the Bay to the other. The Bay Bridge, connecting Oakland/East Bay with San Francisco, was shut down again due to safety issues. (On Labor Day, the bridge was also closed to fix a dangerous … [Read More...]

Living in Silicon Valley: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Something is terribly, terribly wrong in Silicon Valley. Probably the rest of the nation too. But, as they say, everything starts in California then heads east. So whatever's happening here will soon hit your home town if it hasn't already. Yes, living in Silicon Valley takes its toll on incomes and … [Read More...]

Dictionaries for Kids at Hayward’s Park Elementary School

How many of you remember dictionaries when you were a kid? I'm not sure the year a dictionary and my eyeballs connected (probably early in my education), but I do remember the Webster's dictionary my Aunt and Uncle gave me as a high school gift--the most useful and lasting gift I've ever … [Read More...]

Great White Sharks Return to Golden Gate Bridge

Great White Sharks Return to Bay Area Californian's are a strange lot, no doubt, but neither earthquakes nor floods nor swine flu nor collapsing bridges bring us to our knees. And that goes for sharks too. We're a hardy bunch here in the Bay Area and we treat recent reports of great whites poking … [Read More...]

Contracting Universes and the Law of Abundance

Before I begin, let me flatly state I'm not a physicist, an economist nor a guru on the lecture circuit telling people how to get wealthy. Neither am I a religious zealot, a Republican or Democrat. That should allay any concerns that I have an agenda to push or answers to ultimate questions of the … [Read More...]

Fort Hood Reminds Us of Veterans and the Ultimate Sacrifice

And we still remember Ford Hood a year later. The incident reminds us of veterans and the ultimate sacrifice.  Written and performed by Jeanie JaeCie Cunningham. 1. How can we look in your eyes, and not feel the pain of empty broken hearts… Aching with hope for another day, for one more hour. In … [Read More...]

California Broke :Send Your Coupons to Sacramento

California Broke: Clip & Mail Your Coupons to Sacramento

  (Updated October 7, 2012) California broke? Around two years ago I proposed in a blog post that citizens and non-citizens of the State of California donate their unused gift cards to balance California's budget. Yes, I know others have claimed they were the first to come up with … [Read More...]

Are Retailers Killing Off their Customers?

The news in this morning's paper--front page--is the same. Retailers are hysterically worried about another "bad Christmas." Consumers have tightened their belts, hidden their credit cards and won't even walk into a retail store unless there's a big "70% off" sign in the window. What's going on? I … [Read More...]

Health Care Reform Stifled by Drug Companies

The Washington Post reported two unrelated stories that, considered together, demonstrate a concerted effort by large drug companies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to kill health care reform. The reports are disturbing and reveal two major challenges to controlling health care costs in the … [Read More...]

Smart Meters Invade Northern California

Over the past two years, so-called wireless "smart meters" to measure electricity have been installed in millions of  Northern California homes by PG&E, our utility company. The company claims with great fervor that smart meters are accurate to a nano-kilowatt; home owners beg to differ, … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2021 - Brian Prows - All Rights Reserved