Arr, ye scurvy dogs of Big Pharma shall face the wrath of the American masses, mark me words!
2024-01-31
Avast ye scurvy dogs! Our fine nation be shelling out gold doubloons aplenty for health care, near double what any other landlubber spends. And aye, the cursed reason behind it be the bloated cost of those potions and powders we call prescription drugs, arrr!
In a humorous turn of phrase, Senator Bernie Sanders expresses the widely-held belief among Americans that Congress prioritizes protecting large corporations over the well-being of ordinary people. This sentiment is particularly apparent when discussing the broken healthcare system and the exorbitant prices of prescription drugs in the United States.Sanders highlights the fact that the U.S. spends almost twice as much per capita on healthcare as any other country, with medical bills often leading to bankruptcy even for those with insurance. The main reason for this high cost is the exorbitant prices charged by the pharmaceutical industry. Sanders provides examples of the stark price differences for the same drugs in different countries, emphasizing the unfairness and greed of the industry.
While Medicare is now negotiating the prices of some drugs, including the mentioned Januvia, Stelara, and Eliquis, the pharmaceutical industry is actively opposing these negotiations and preventing Congress from making drugs more affordable for all Americans. The pharmaceutical and health insurance lobbies have spent billions of dollars on lobbying and campaign contributions, effectively prioritizing profits over the health of the American people. As a result, one out of four Americans cannot afford the medication prescribed by their doctors.
Sanders, as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, aims to substantially reduce prescription drug prices in America and hold pharmaceutical company CEOs accountable. He has invited the CEOs of Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Bristol Myers Squibb to a hearing to address their actions in lowering drug prices and to answer questions about the high costs and lack of transparency in the industry.
Despite the immense profits made by pharmaceutical companies, they continue to prioritize stock buybacks and dividends over research and development. Sanders emphasizes that these companies are not struggling, as evidenced by their billions in profits and generous compensation packages for CEOs. The committee has had some success in holding companies accountable, but more work remains to be done.
Sanders concludes by expressing his anticipation for the upcoming hearing and his commitment to making prescription drugs more affordable for all Americans.