Tim Kaine on the Cost of Medication

Editorial comment: The position of this web site is that in order to talk seriously about lowering the cost of prescription medication, or any other form of medical care, we have to start by cutting out the middlemen who add no value--beginning with the whole insurance industry. Therefore, we reserve judgment on whether Senator Kaine is serious in this e-mail.

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA):

"

This week the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) Committee held a hearing to discuss the high cost of prescription medication and strategies to lower costs for Americans. I regularly hear from Virginians who ask what can be done to bring prices down.

During the hearing, I said that patients who depend on medications shouldn’t be treated like hostages by pharmaceutical companies. It’s time for the Senate to seriously consider commonsense proposals like letting Medicare negotiate the best possible price of drugs to cut costs for nearly 41 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D. We have to increase transparency in the pricing system and ensure people never have to struggle to afford a medication they need.

Sincerely, [signature graphic]

"