Headline in the New York Times, Jan. 20, 2013: “Fiscal Footnote: Big Senate Gift To Drug Maker.” What the Senate did was add a paragraph (Section 632) to the infamous “fiscal cliff” legislation to delay Medicare price restraints on a class of drugs that includes Sensipar, a pill made by the Amgen Company. Amgen can sell Sensipar for another two years without controls, a move which will add about $500 million to Amgen’s income.
That $500 million will come out of Medicare, which means out of taxpayers’ pockets.
Amgen distributed nearly $5 million to members of Congress since 2007. The money went to both Republicans and Democrats, to Senators McConnell and Baucus, to the Congressional Black Caucus and the the Republican National Convention. The company’s lobbyists include former congressional aides, and Amgen has a slew of them.
An investment of $5 million (reported) to get back $500 million. You have a right to be disgusted.
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