Ohio Health Lawyer & Attorney : Jayne Juvan : Benesch Friedlander Law Firm : Serving Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Dayton, Parma, Youngstown, Canton, and Lorain OH

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Not even a week out from elections, and amid cries for bipartisanship and teamwork, Democrats and Republicans have already begun sparring.  Yesterday, Juvan's Health Law Update reported that Nancy Pelosi, the future Speaker of the House, has called for negotiations with pharmaceutical companies over drug pricing.  Today, the New York Times reported that the Bush Administration stepped forward to express its strong opposition to Pelosi's proposed change.  Speaking on behalf of Republicans, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt went on the record announcing his opposition to the Democrats' plan, stating, "Government negotiation of drug prices does not work unless you have a program completely run by the government.  Democrats say they want the government to negotiate prices.  What they really want is government run health care."

Pharmaceutical companies have also voiced their opposition, raising the concern that this new initiative will result in the government receiving the "best price" for drugs.  Similarly, former president of Anthem Prescription Management James Lang stated, "For this to work, the government would have to take over price negotiations.  It would have to take over formularies.  You can't do one without the other."

While some have urged the Democrats to adopt a "go slow approach," Democrat Pete Stark responded by saying that there's no good reason to wait and that "quick congressional action might save a life."  He thereafter added, "I believe we must start work immediately to improve this incomprehensibly complicated plan, which overpays and deregulates private plans to the detriment of beneficiaries and taxpayers."

And thus, the promises of bipartisanship quickly retreat into the background, perhaps only to emerge again in the next election.