GOP blocking coronavirus bill -- because it limits how much drugmakers can charge for a vaccine: re

[riversedge]

Source: raw story




Published 2 hours ago on March 3, 2020


On Tuesday, Politico reported that GOP lawmakers are holding up a bipartisan emergency funding bill to provide treatment and research for coronavirus.

The main reason? They object to a provision that prevents drug manufacturers from overcharging the government for any vaccines or other treatment.

“Democrats are insisting the spending package include significant funding to purchase large amounts of coronavirus diagnostics, treatments and vaccine, when it becomes available, which would then be made available to the public free of cost, according to a senior Democratic aide,” reported Politico. However, “Republicans are trying to eliminate the ‘fair and reasonable price’ federal procurement standard for the vaccines and treatments that will be developed and purchased with the emergency funds. ‘Fair and reasonable price’ is a basic standard to prevent price gouging in federal contracts. Without the language, drugmakers could charge the government above-market rates, meaning fewer Americans will have access, according to the Democratic aide.”


A vaccine for coronavirus is in the works, but experts suggest it is still at least a year away from becoming available. Other therapeutic treatments may become available before that.
..................................................

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/gop-blocking-coronavirus-bill-because-it-limits-how-much-drugmakers-can-charge-for-a-vaccine-report/#.Xl7vwDwcKJ8.twitter

---

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Just_Vote_Dem]

1. GOP are SCUM n/t

[klook]

2. Disaster capitalism

enabled by the Republican Death Cult.

Eight months til November 3rd.

[Tucker08087]

3. Blocking a vaccine

that doesn’t even exist but could possibly save American lives. For money. Can’t take it with you, Mitch. Someday that phrase will make so much sense to you. Too late, of course, since you’ve sold your soul to the devil. Reread Faust. And perhaps that Bible you claim to love.

[Turbineguy]

4. GOP Motto:

"Do Harm"

[Hotler]

17. No. It's .....

"I have mine, fuck the rest of you."

[Newest Reality]

5. That last line...

Is that supposed to be magic placation? Why even speculate like that?

Other therapeutic treatments may become available before that.

Oh, joy. Unicorns could fly out of my butt, before that. How comforting.

I don't like the attempt to pacify people with nominal prophecies.

[DBoon]

6. They would rather have people die

than give up one penny from their corporate overlords

[procon]

7. Don't we have laws against profiteering during

a crisis? I know we have laws prohibiting fraud, waste and abuse when it comes to govt spending, but Republican greed will win.

[tclambert]

11. And you want Republicans to enforce the law? That would be new.

If the Don, Jrs. and Jareds can make big profits off people dying, I'm pretty sure Republicans will think that counts for more than the law, or right and wrong, or a sense of decency. 'Cause how can you deny the glorious righteousness of the profit motive?

[Hoyt]

8. Unless it is extremely expensive to produce actual vaccine once discovered/approved, a $30 vaccine

would be a blockbuster.

Honestly, I wouldn't put in a provision limiting price, at this point.

But if someone develops a vaccine and it is offered at too high a price, the government should just say tough, it won't be approved.

There will likely be a number of vaccines produced, although it will take awhile. I read an interview with a scientist who has been working with the coronavirus for decades. So, it's not something totally new.

[sinkingfeeling]

9. Shameful and so christian.

[Evolve Dammit]

10. Why of course they do. Bless their little black hearts.

[kimbutgar]

12. That is an ad that should produced and used against every repuke who blocked it!

We should have mobile billboards driving down the road highlighting this.

[raccoon]

13. I hate Republicans. Nt

[dhill926]

14. start producing those ads....

[abqtommy]

15. It's plain to see tRUMP bein' a butt 'cause you know he's got to get his cut!

[beachbumbob]

16. making another issue for democratis to kick their asses in November