Ben Jealous could save you a bundle on health care
In fact, even though we constitute only 5 percent of the world’s population, international pharmaceutical companies realize about 60 percent of their total profits from within the United States,
One reason for this alarming situation is that the federal government, notwithstanding the agencies that represent our men and women in the armed forces and veterans, does not negotiate the price of prescription drugs with manufacturers. In fact, when the government finally established the Medicare prescription drug program in 2004, the Republican-controlled Congress wrote “non-negotiable” pricing into that law. Congressman Billy Tauzin of Louisiana, who helped write this groundbreaking piece of legislation, resigned his seat in the House of Representatives to take a
Senior citizens living on fixed incomes are among those acutely conscious of the rising costs of prescription drugs. As reported in the
Since drug prices continue to skyrocket, who can Marylanders turn to for relief? Apparently not Gov. Larry Hogan, as Luke Broadwater
Since the national Republican Party and our governor are disinclined to rein in drug prices, Marylanders hoping for relief with the bills they pay at the pharmacy should take a closer look at Democrat Ben Jealous’ health care strategy.
Among the health care proposals on his website, Mr. Jealous
The board’s goal would be to “ensure that everyone, from those on Medicaid to those with private insurance, can get a good deal [by forcing] manufacturers to deal in good faith with the state.” The candidate points out that “a bill to implement this was designed by the National Academy for State Health Policy and supported by 23 Senators and 78 Delegates here in Maryland, just short of a majority” in 2018. Maryland’s current governor did not support that legislation.
Curbing pharmaceutical prices is one element of Mr. Jealous’ larger health care objective. He plans to bring
His critics, and especially the Republican Governor’s Association in its television attack ads, have labeled this goal as too radical for Maryland. But is it really? As he points out, “Since 1977, Maryland has had a waiver from the federal government known as ‘All Payer’ that ensures everyone, whether on Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, pays the same rate in Maryland hospitals.”
During the 2018 legislative session, retiring delegate Dr. Dan Morhaim secured passage of
Still other factors commend the Jealous health system. The existing Medicare system for seniors
Faced with four more years of rising insurance, medication and other health care costs in a second Hogan administration, Marylanders would do well to take a close look at the Jealous plan. Their health and financial well being may depend on a majority of Marylanders casting their votes for Ben Jealous, who could save them a bundle on health care.