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Opinion
The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
News / Opinion / Letters to the Editor

Letter: Republicans lead to high drug prices

By Terrence Dunn, VANCOUVER
Published: August 2, 2024, 6:00am

The Bloomberg editorial “Bargain for cheaper medications” (The Columbian, July 27), fails to state why the U.S. is the only developed country that doesn’t negotiate drug prices with the pharmaceutical industry.

The reason is the 2003 $400 billion Prescription Drug Bill that was passed by one vote in the House and then signed by President George W. Bush. The bill was the result of tens of millions of dollars spent by the pharmaceutical industry on political donations to Republicans and lobbying them to get the bill passed.

Key terms of the bill were the banning of Medicare from negotiating drug prices with the pharmaceutical companies and banning states from negotiating separately. Medicare was forced to pay whatever the pharmaceutical companies demanded for their drugs. This comment accurately described the bill: “(This bill) is a sweetheart deal to hand over huge amounts of money to the insurance and drug industries,” says Steffie Woolhandler, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

And a 2003 article in the New York Times described the disturbing process by which the bill came into being. Another example of the Republican Party serving the interests of corporate profits at the expense of American citizens.

We encourage readers to express their views about public issues. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Limit letters to 200 words (100 words if endorsing or opposing a political candidate or ballot measure) and allow 30 days between submissions. Send Us a Letter
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