Medicare drug costs soar (Obama's deal with Big Pharma)

[brentspeak]

The deal Obama made with Big Pharma was http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/13/internal-memo-confirms-bi_n_258285.html">this

Commitment of up to $80 billion, but not more than $80 billion.

1. Agree to increase of Medicaid rebate from 15.1 - 23.1% ($34 billion)

2. Agree to get FOBs done (but no agreement on details -- express disagreement on data exclusivity which both sides say does not affect the score of the legislation.) ($9 billion)

3. Sell drugs to patients in the donut hole at 50% discount ($25 billion)
This totals $68 billion

4. Companies will be assessed a tax or fee that will score at $12 billion. There was no agreement as to how or on what this tax/fee will be based.

Total: $80 billion

In exchange for these items, the White House agreed to:

1. Oppose importation

2. Oppose rebates in Medicare Part D

3. Oppose repeal of non-interference

4. Oppose opening Medicare Part B

However, Medicare-D costs are still soaring, with some plans increasing between http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10322/1104193-84.stm">20 and 40 percent. The GOP's so-far successful http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_Part_D#Criticisms">plan to reward Big Pharma while simultaneously destroying Medicare was kept intact thanks to the HCR.

[DCKit]

1. Wasn't the agreement to save U.S. $100 Billion?

They never said they wouldn't screw us, just that they'd screw us $100 Billion less.

I said as much when this plan was revealed.

[DURHAM D]

2. My Part D monthly premium increased 105%.

I don't take any medication. But I can't afford not to take out a Part D policy in case something happens between January and December of 2011. Plus my 2011 policy is not as good as the 2010 policy.

thanks for nothin' Obama

[BlueIris]

3. Ouch.

When will the Party recognize these failures?

[polichick]

5. They know, but they're too close to this industry. nt

[theoldman]

4. I have been on an HMO for 12 years.

I have never paid for Part D so my monthly medical insurance payments have always been less than $100. My drug bill has never been close to the donut hole since I take generic drugs. What am I missing?

[DURHAM D]

6. I don't know what you mean by HMO.

I assume you are not on regular Medicare but are enrolled in Medicare Advantage Program.

Yes?

Did you or do you work for a company that enrolled you?

Are you receiving retirement benefits through your company?

[theoldman]

8. Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage Program.

No company insurance. Only pension.

[DURHAM D]

10. Parts of Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)

are changing in 2011.

[jonnyblitz]

7. k &r. nt

[jeanpalmer]

9. You can't trust Obama to negotiate with anyone

His first impulse is to give everything away.

It was lopsided from the start. A bunch of insiders negotiating with a rookie who had no core beliefs. It was inevitable that we would be sacrificed in a fire sale.

[DURHAM D]

11. yep +1

[grumgrum]

13. He's Consistent...Negotations == Handing Over Everything THEN Begin to Negotiate

He is either in on the scams or he is a poor negotiator

[BlueIris]

12. Kick.

Awful.

[BklnDem75]

14. Dupe. More old news posted as new news

Unrec. The only lobbyists that sent this unproven memo were the ones trying to destroy the HCR bill. Good news! They failed.