“It’s a bit awkward when you bring forward legislation that kind of steps on the toes of your friends,” said the bill’s sponsor, GOP Sen. Emmett Hanger. “We know very little about how drug companies set prices for the most expensive products.”
Heaven forbid we consider legislation that could benefit millions if it might make things a little tense at the yacht club.
“Drug makers pushed back against the bill, saying it unfairly singled out pharmaceuticals for rising health care costs and would inhibit Virginia’s efforts at growing its bio-tech industry.”
That’s like saying laws against murder unfairly single out murderers.
“Jeffrey Gallagher, of the Virginia Biotechnology Association, said if Virginia was the first state in the country to pass this kind of legislation it would send a signal that the Old Dominion is “uniquely antagonistic to an industry we’re trying to grow.”
I’m not sure how this would make Virginia “uniquely antagonistic” if the entire country is concerned about drug pricing. I would describe the pharmaceutical industry’s pricing strategies as antagonistic toward the average consumer.
“Though the Virginia Senate voted to punt the issue this year, insurance executives said they were happy lawmakers did not dismiss the issue out of hand and promised to reconsider it next year.”
“It’s a bit awkward when you bring forward legislation that kind of steps on the toes of your friends,” said the bill’s sponsor, GOP Sen. Emmett Hanger. “We know very little about how drug companies set prices for the most expensive products.”
Heaven forbid we consider legislation that could benefit millions if it might make things a little tense at the yacht club.
“Drug makers pushed back against the bill, saying it unfairly singled out pharmaceuticals for rising health care costs and would inhibit Virginia’s efforts at growing its bio-tech industry.”
That’s like saying laws against murder unfairly single out murderers.
“Jeffrey Gallagher, of the Virginia Biotechnology Association, said if Virginia was the first state in the country to pass this kind of legislation it would send a signal that the Old Dominion is “uniquely antagonistic to an industry we’re trying to grow.”
I’m not sure how this would make Virginia “uniquely antagonistic” if the entire country is concerned about drug pricing. I would describe the pharmaceutical industry’s pricing strategies as antagonistic toward the average consumer.
“Though the Virginia Senate voted to punt the issue this year, insurance executives said they were happy lawmakers did not dismiss the issue out of hand and promised to reconsider it next year.”
In other words, don’t hold your breath.