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Because of a ludicrous law, written in 2003 by pharmaceutical lobbyists, Medicare is not allowed to negotiate prescription drug prices, even now while drug prices are skyrocketing. So I twice contacted my representatives in Congress (Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner and Rep. Mike Coffman) and asked if they would support the proposed Senate bill (S. 31) to overturn this law and give Medicare permission to negotiate for lower drug prices.
Twice Bennet sent me the exact same canned response providing me with no clue as to his stance on this issue. Twice Coffman did not respond to my questions at all. Gardner, however, did provide a thoughtful and detailed response to my second inquiry, indicating that he is carefully studying the matter and is concerned that there could be significant downsides to allowing Medicare to negotiate.
So aside from my frustrations in trying to get a simple response from two of my so-called representatives in Congress, itap most disheartening to see how powerful and influential the drug lobby remains. Price negotiations are a fundamental part of sound business practice, and to legally prohibit negotiations is something I would expect to see in a totalitarian country.
Dick Wisott, Centennial
This letter was published in the Oct. 15 edition.
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