AARP Poll Shows 86% of Americans Over 18 Believe Medicare Should Have Bargaining Power

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New AARP Poll Shows 86% of Americans Over 18 Believe Medicare Should Have Bargaining Power for Prescription Drugs

As the U.S. Senate prepares to take up legislation that gives Medicare the power to bargain for lower prescription drug prices, AARP today announced the results of a national poll showing 86 percent of Americans over the age of 18 support allowing Medicare to have that authority.

"An overwhelming 86 percent of Americans agree that it's common sense to leverage the buying power of 43 million Medicare members to help bring drug prices down," said AARP Legislative Counsel and Policy Director, David Certner. "Americans understand that buying in bulk saves money; this poll shows widespread support for giving Medicare bargaining power over drug prices. Senators preparing to vote on legislation allowing negotiations should take note."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20070220/pl_usnw/new_aarp_poll_shows86__of_americans_over18_believe_medicare_should_have_bargaining_power_for_prescription_drugs


91% of Pennsylvania Residents Want Medicare to Have Power to Bargain for Lower Drug Prices
AARP members from across Pennsylvania are meeting with U.S. Senators Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record) and Robert P. Casey, Jr. to urge them to support legislation that would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to bargain for lower Medicare drug prices. Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the "Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007" by a bipartisan vote of 255 - 170. AARP strongly supported H.R. 4 and is now putting its weight behind passing similar legislation in the Senate.

There is overwhelming support by residents in Pennsylvania to allow Medicare to bargain for lower drug prices. According to an AARP poll, 91% of state residents want Medicare to use its enormous bargaining power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20070220/pl_usnw/91__of_pennsylvania_residents_want_medicare_to_have_power_to_bargain_for_lower_drug_prices

[BayCityProgressive]

1. hm

we will see if 86% of the Senate will support it. Last I heard, even some Dems were against it. The government should be able to bargain for medications for ALL of us.