An unfair advantage

Although it is not a policy that I agree with, I can understand why someone might support the governor’s work requirement for Medicaid recipients. When working people have so much money taken out of their pay every month—$700, $800, maybe $1,000 or more—just to pay for health insurance, I can understand how they might become resentful of others being able to receive those same benefits for free without having to work. But what I cannot understand is why no one seems to mind when the pharmaceutical industry is allowed to take unfair advantage of Medicare.

In 2003 the federal government passed a law prohibiting Medicare from being able to bargain with pharmaceutical companies for their best price. Nobody else suffers under such a prohibition: not our military, not insurance companies or hospitals; even patients can shop around some. Only Medicare is forced by law to pay the highest prices for prescription drugs. This “robbing the poor box” is unconscionable.

Over the last three decades, administrations of both parties have enacted laws that permit the pharmaceutical industry to take unfair advantage of American consumers: 1987—ban on re-importation of prescription drugs; 1996—direct-to-consumer advertising permitted; 2003—Medicare prohibited from bargaining; and 2010—pharmaceutical copyrights extended.

When I vote, I look for candidates—regardless of party—who are willing to stand up and call for repeal of these bad laws.

OWEN REIN Mountain View