Pharma Just Sat Obama Down

[somarco]

Congress don't need no stinkin' Constitution.

Nothing in the Constitution gives them the right to take over banks, insurance carriers, auto manufacturers, hire and fire CEO's or regulate pay.

But that hasn't stopped them from doing any of that, has it?

 

[Winter_123]

Congress don't need no stinkin' Constitution.

Nothing in the Constitution gives them the right to take over banks, insurance carriers, auto manufacturers, hire and fire CEO's or regulate pay.

But that hasn't stopped them from doing any of that, has it?

I read a newspaper article yesterday that said that Congress was going to ban text messaging while you are driving. Without agreeing or disagreeing, my first thought was "where the hell does congress get the authority to regulate state motor vehicle laws now. If you read the details it says that Congress is going to ban the allotment of federal transportation funds to states that dont ban text messaging.

Think this is unrelated to health care reform and funding in the states? Don't be so sure. Congress has been using that technique for decades to mess with state laws.

 

[JustinUpright]

But why aren't we using the Constitution in this and all those battles.

Just heard the other day that the White Hosue has went green. They have cut their toilet paper use in half.

When the reporter asked Obama how they accomplished this, he said he as been wiping his A $ $ with the Constitution.

 

[Winter_123]

But why aren't we using the Constitution in this and all those battles.

.

Both Obama and the Repubicans talk about allowing the interstate sale of health insurance.

Sounds good in theory. Big watch-out there though. If you do that, you just handed the feds the right to regulate insurance under the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution. Not sure it matters anyway as much as it would have even thirty years ago. The feds already think they can do it under consumer protection and banking regs etc. If the administration in power wants to go pink, one reasoning is as good as another. And of course if you need the Supreme Court to back you up, the wise Latina is available.

 

[somarco]

They have cut their toilet paper use in half.

Until you delivered the punch line, I was assuming it was because they are all full of sh+t.

Both Obama and the Repubicans talk about allowing the interstate sale of health insurance

When you look at the benefit structure (GI, no deductibles, no coinsurance (only copays), 100% for preventive + well baby + well child, mental health parity) and factor in the 85% -95% LR and 4% annual cap on premium increases it's all nuts. And lets not forget the 2:1 ratio on premiums for any age, non-gender specific rates, community rating, blah, blah and then add in the ability to buy coverage through an exchange at the lowest national rate it is obvious no one up there has a clue what they are doing.

The unbiased CBO has not bothered to cost any of these provisions out so they are not dealing with real numbers.

Add in the estimated $1.8 trillion budget deficit for 2009, and Timmy Geithner's request to increase the spending cap to $12 trillion (85% of GDP for 2008) and this is a run away train.

On one hand, I am inclined to simply sit on the side lines and watch the carnage then try and put this back together once Congress and Obama crash and burn.

But on the other hand, we have gone so far already I wonder if we have already passed the point of no return.

 

[GreenSky]

I understand that Pharma will spend $150 million to promote Obama's plan (whatever that is at this moment). It is obviously to their benefit to have everyone insured.

Can just imagine what the equivalent of Part D of Medicare would mean both to the drug companies and to our deficit if everyone had it.

Rick

 

[somarco]

Everyone has insurance.

Everyone has a rich benefit plan with no deductibles or coinsurance. It is a pharmacological manufacturers wet dream.

With all the benefit increases, taxpayer subsidies, etc. this is already cost overrun on steroids. We haven't even begun to factor in over-utilization.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

I wonder how that wet dream plays out for Pharma when a doc prescribes Lipitor and it comes back "denied."

 

[djs]

Pharma is okay till you start either dictating price or remove patent / copyright protection. Then they have no way to pay for the federally mandated testing of drugs when they go to market.

It can cost $100Million or more to develop a drug. People don't stop to think how that is paid for. It gets paid for by Americans buying the prescriptions at outrageous prices. Canadians buy it for a fraction of the price or they don't buy it (happens both ways). They negotiate pretty heavily to get the drugs for less. Pharma usually agrees, figuring it's better to sell more, even though some is at a ridicously low price based on development cost. If Americans quit paying the development tab, these revolutionary new drugs will cease to be developed.

Now, we can talk about red pills and blue pills, not sure what happened to the white pills.

Dan

 

[somarco]

The white pills have an attitude and generally don't play well with pills of color . . .