Kucinich jumps into fight with drug makers
Taxpayers COLUMBUS — are bailing out drug makers the same way they did big banks back in 2008 and 2009, former U.S. Rep. and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich has said.
Kucinich, aDemocrat, was in Columbus to announce that hewas joining the campaign in support of Issue 2 to end those alleged subsidies, which he said cost the Ohio taxpayer more than $400 million a year.
“Drugcompaniesneedtaxpayers to subsidize their falling profits,” Kucinich said. “Many groups are buying at a discount, but not the s t ate o f O h i o. Issue 2 will change that.”
The ballot initiative, which will go before voters onNov. 7, would require Medicaid and several state agencies to pay no more for prescription drugs than the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does.
Experts are divided over whether Issue 2would lower prices or cause unintended problems thatwould end up making some drugs more expensive and less available.
Theindustry-fundedopposition campaign says Issue 2 would make drugs more expensive, less available and hurt veterans. A spokesman said Kucinich’s claims about themeasurewere incorrect.
“Wh i l e I know and respect former CongressmanKucinich, I simply think he’swrongonthis one,” Dale Butland, spokesman for No on Issue 2, said in an email. “And as a man of principle, I knowDennis can’t be happy with the dishonest TVad the Yes side just started airing, which claims that Issue 2 will ‘cut taxes’ and require Ohio government to buy drugs at the ‘lowest known price,’ neither of which is even remotely true.”
Kucinich, however, saidhe had a long history of working to lower drug prices and believes Issue 2would have that effect. He cited an article lastmonth in Investors Business Daily that said the costs — and profits — of generic drugs are being squeezed down by wholesalers, making the pharmaceuticalcompanies desperate.