Don't criminalize Medicare negotiating for drug prices
Q: The prescription drug plan prohibits Medicare from negotiating for lower prices of prescription drug. The VA has long negotiated, which results in lower prices for most drugs. Why not allow negotiating?
HUTCHISON: We should look at that, but the
plan was a different type of plan, where we had private companies competing, and it is working very well. The "donut hole" [of missed coverage] gives people the choice to cover the donut hole, or they don't have to, and that determines their cost.
RADNOFSKY: That response addressed the donut hole, not the criminalization of US government conduct. Of course Medicare should be allowed to use its massive bargaining power to negotiate better prices for drugs. It consistently works well for the VA. The
only people who are in favor of criminalizing the negotiation of drug prices are people who profit from selling drugs.
JAMESON: Tweaking a bankrupt system is a parlor game. We need a real solution. I'm calling for universal mandatory health insurance.
Source: Texas 2006 Senate Debate, sponsored by LWV-TX (X-ref Hutch)
Oct 19, 2006
Federal insurance reform via free markets for fair prices
Caring for Texans
Insurance reform that includes preventive care, "prompt pay," and single risk pool
Ensure that community hospitals and health care providers receive fair reimbursement for their services
Protect
Texas taxpayers from health care legislative schemes that shift payments unfairly onto our state
Guarantee free market bargaining power for patients to obtain fair prices for the medications they need
Ensure that community hospitals and health care providers receive fair reimbursement for their services
Protect Texas taxpayers from health care legislative schemes that shift payments unfairly onto our state
Guarantee free market bargaining power for patients to obtain fair prices for the medications they need
Source: Campaign website, www.radnofsky.com, "Issues"
Jan 16, 2006
Fully fund Medicaid and restore cuts
Medicaid must be properly funded. Medicaid is more than a health insurance program for low income children and working families, as well as a safety net for the elderly and disabled who cannot get acute and long term coverage from Medicare or private
insurance. Medicaid is an important payment system to hospitals, community health centers and other health service centers that provide community services and deserve to be paid. My opponent voted against restoration of Medicaid cuts.
Medicaid must be properly funded. Medicaid is more than a health insurance program for low income children and working families, as well as a safety net for the elderly and disabled who cannot get acute and long term coverage from
Medicare or private insurance. Medicaid is an important payment system to hospitals, community health centers and other health service centers that provide community services and deserve to be paid. We need insurance reform.
