Bush Endorses Drug Price Negotiations!

Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), chairman of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on health, uncovered this gem in the president's budget (pg. 59, HHS "Budget in Brief,” section “FY 2008 Proposed Legislation,” subsection “Medicaid Pharmacy Reforms”):

"Allow Optional Managed Formulary: Allows States to use private sector management techniques to leverage greater discounts through negotiations with drug manufacturers.”

“Shortly after the President released his budget, I criticized it as radically partisan and divisive and characterized his regressive tax proposals and draconian Medicare cuts as a declaration of war against America’s low- and middle-classes,” Stark said. “Upon further review, I’ve identified a diamond in the rough. President Bush has finally waved the white flag on drug price negotiation.”

Then he added (in his press release): “What’s good enough for states should be good enough for the federal government – and for the millions of seniors and people with disabilities currently being overcharged for necessary drugs. If Medicaid can successfully negotiate for lower prices, Medicare should also be able to get beneficiaries a better deal. I applaud the President’s change of heart and look forward to joining him in the Rose Garden for the signing of the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act.”

They do have fun up on Capitol Hill.