Progressives within the Democratic Party are outraged after 13 Democrats voted against an amendment that will have permitted Americans to purchase cheaper prescription medications from Canada, saying it’s an indication that Big Pharma has an excessive amount of power within the party.
The amendment was unlikely to pass through, but critics say that is why it ought to happen to be a secure method for Democrats to exhibit their support for combating high drug prices.
Large majorities of american citizens believe that prescription medication costs are excessive, and support measures to reduce them. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll from last September discovered that 71 percent supported importation of medicines from Canada.
The amendment, drafted by Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, would “establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund associated with lower prescription medication prices for Americans by importing drugs from Canada.” It might have amended the Senate budget resolution passed early Thursday morning that brings Obamacare a step nearer to being repealed.
It isn’t a radical idea to import medication from Canada, where they pay much less for the very same drugs. 72% of american citizens support it. pic.twitter.com/m5kzJEI3iw
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) The month of january 12, 2017
Progressives venting their anger on social networking, focusing particular ire on Sen. Cory Booker, who only hrs earlier had positioned themself like a progressive fighter by becoming the very first senator to testify against a sitting friend at Republican Sen. Shaun Sessions’ confirmation hearing to become attorney general within the incoming Jesse Trump administration.
We must hold our very own reps accountable too. See which Democratic Senators voted no on importing cheaper prescription medications from Canada https://t.co/xvAKldx90A
— Kerri Doherty (@squideatsquid) The month of january 12, 2017
69% of D’s and 75% of R’s support Bernie’s amendment to reduce drug costs using importation, yet Senators from both sides voted it lower. pic.twitter.com/L9NYVXUuNQ
— Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) The month of january 12, 2017
Incredible: Cory Booker & other Dems join Republicans maj in voting lower Bernie amendment on importing cheaper drugs https://t.co/yb8N1PRYjp
— Lee Fang (@lhfang) The month of january 12, 2017
Booker stated within an emailed statement he supported the importation of prescription medications to manage costs generally, however that this amendment didn’t adequately make certain foreign drugs meet American safety standards.
“I offer the importation of prescription medications like a major factor of an approach to help control the skyrocketing price of medications. Any intend to permit the importation of prescription drugs also needs to include consumer protections that ensure foreign drugs meet American safety standards. I opposed an amendment submit yesterday that didn’t meet this test. The increasing price of medications is really a existence-and-dying problem for countless Americans, and that’s why I additionally voted for amendments yesterday that bring drug prices lower and safeguard Medicare’s prescription medication benefit. I’m dedicated to finding solutions that provide prescription medication importation with sufficient safety standards.”
Also, he defended his election on Twitter:
.@LaurenLovesWI I positively support drug imports to reduce cost but plan must include protections so foreign drugs meet safety standards.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) The month of january 12, 2017
Booker and some from the Democratic senators who voted from the amendment were one of the top recipients of cash in the pharmaceutical industry, Jezebel noted.
Resourse: http://rollcall.com/news/politics/
Cory Booker & Corporate Democrats Screw Over The Poor & Bernie's Bill
Video COMMENTS:
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eric moss: In case it makes it easier for people to share the relevant phone numbers:\n\nMichael Bennet – CO – 202-224-5852\nCory Booker – NJ – 202-224-3224\nMaria Cantwell – WA – 202-224-3441\nTom Carper – DE – 202-224-2441\nBob Casey – PA – 202-224-6324\nChristopher Coons – DE – 202-224-5042\nJoe Donnelly – IN – 202-224-4814\nMartin Heinrich – NM – 202-224-5521\nHeidi Heitkamp – ND – 202-224-2043\nBob Menendez – NJ – 202-224-4744\nPatty Murray – WA – 202-224-2621\nJon Tester – MT – 202-224-2644\nMark Warner – VA – 202-224-2023
Vijay Baxter: I CALLED 15X AND COREY STILL HASNT RETURNED MY CALLS!!!!? MAYBE IF I GIVE HIM A MILLION DOLLARS HE WILL CONSIDER A CALL BACK?
lou reeves: Only if your last name is Squibb or Johnson.
Nero C. Drusus: Why is TYT so shit, but yet Jimmy so great?
ihartevil: same with steve oh and a few others that work there you just need to remember the only reason cenk isnt a republican is because they went to far right making cenk a progressive because he wants to move this world forward in a progressive way\n\nthe aggressive progressive was made for a reason then you have jordan and emma who are also much more progressive\n\nTYT is good because they have a mix of people including a retarded hillarybot known as michael shure
James Gray: Nero C. Drusus \nJimmy D is AMAZING !!!\nThis manors more for America without having EVER getting elected for any sell out federal office
Seán Tripp: Whorey Booker…
Reed Rasmussen: Sean Tripp glory holer
Luci Sá: Cory Sucker
JamesThomas: Cory Booker the corporate hooker.
Rev Jonathan Wint: +Amadou Bah there might be others but I truly believe this is the queen of all corporate hookers!
James Gray: Hillary spends 1.5 BILLION $$$$ TO GET ELECTED AND still cactus win …\n\nNEO LIBERALISM HAS FAILED AND EXPLOITED ALL THE WORKING AMERICAN PEOPLE
M. Rowntree: Living in five different European nations over ten years I can say you actually pay 4-5x more than people here. In France I often pay nothing. Obama's first act for ACA was to suck off big pharma's tiny worm at your expense.
Yevrah Hipstar: No, the main problem IS the existence of ANY health insurance company. Single payer is the only way.
