Comments on: Heath Shuler Given GOP Talking Points by PhRMA

By: PierceNichols

PierceNichols — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:42:12 +0000

Hate to rain on everyone’s 2-minute hate, but drugs only represent ~12% of total healthcare spending. Even if you cut drug costs in half, it would still only be a small reduction in total expenditures. The lion’s share of US healthcare spending (~40%) is doctor visits and other outpatient services.

Data from this Dec 2008 McKinsey report: http://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/reports/pdfs/healthcare/US_healthcare_report.pdf (requires free reg). Fascinating reading.

By: TalkingStick

TalkingStick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:13:26 +0000

”it’s purely a business decision.”

So much for self interest of business being in the best interest of the people.

By: TalkingStick

TalkingStick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:11:57 +0000

You know why they don’t have a place to go? The ONLY reason is because people keep saying that. Unless you are willing to take your vote from a Democrat and place it on a third party or indie candidate, the party doesn’t care about you.!

Yes! Yes! I don’t want to get too specific but I am one of the few in my area who has taken that dfficult step of leaving leadership in my local party.and am providing no financial support. I do support the national party so far.

I think it will take young folks who are not as afflicted with yellow dog fever to mount a strong insurgent faction.

By: otchmoson

otchmoson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:24:58 +0000

Today, branded (patented, expensive) pharma manufacturers try to prevent generics from coming to market. In the late 1970s, natural insulins (over-the-counter, proven, inexpensive) WERE the generics and dominated the market. Genentech/Lilly had the first-ever genetically-engineered product in the wings . . . and its entry into the market was essentially a flop. What to do? Get rid of the competition (Lilly WAS the competition), so they eliminated their own time-proven natural products so that their expensive, synthetic product(s) would be blockbuster successes. No one–not Congress, or advocates–could force Lilly to continue providing natural insulin–”it’s purely a business decision.” Today insulin-dependent diabetics in the U.S. do not have access to natural insulins. We call this progress? But it opened the door for biotechnology and the questionable ethics they continue to demonstrate.

By: Leen

Leen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:36:14 +0000

Jane you continue to kick ass. With so much pzzzazz.

Senator Sherrod Brown (former Congressman Brown) has been standing up for the working class and working poor for a very long time.

By: openhope

openhope — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:27:33 +0000

If you’re not a non-profit, you’re going to do the time.
How weird is that?

By: openhope

openhope — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:19:09 +0000

I should say that the Health Dept. and the Liquor Board, as well as the State gambling commission were all on board with this.
Don’t try this in your own home.

By: openhope

openhope — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:08:36 +0000

As a long time fund raiser[ volunteer,community] I think there must be a better way to raise money than accept crap-tastic ads.
Unfortunately, the best ways I’ve found to raise cash to accomplish a goal involves raffles and selling alcohol in public parks.
So I may not be a role model. But we fucking kicked ass.

By: marxmarv

marxmarv — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:54:26 +0000

“Liberals simply ceased to have any place to go”

You know why they don’t have a place to go? The ONLY reason is because people keep saying that. Unless you are willing to take your vote from a Democrat and place it on a third party or indie candidate, the party doesn’t care about you.

By: wmd1961

wmd1961 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:46:22 +0000

Because it is better to fight the good fight than to give in to cynical despair. Leastways that’s how I roll.

Times change, but not without engagement by those that want to affect change and can imagine and articulate better policies. Big part of why I come here.