Political Quotes

“The Senator from Idaho is my friend. We have worked together and served together, and I count him as my friend. I would just say that arguing that the list price is deceptive suggests that there is some third party, some Agency--perhaps in Government--that is creating this list price which we are asking to be on the ads that the pharmaceutical companies put on television. Do you know who creates the list price, Mr. President? The pharmaceutical companies themselves. We go directly to them. Give us the list price. You saw what happens over the span of a few years: The list price can double. Who is creating that doubling in the price? The pharmaceutical companies themselves. And, now, to argue that the price that they agree on, that they advertise, is one that is somehow deceptive to consumers just doesn't square. Have you ever heard of AARP, the American Association of Retired Persons? Most of us respect them because we have worked with them over the years. They speak for seniors. They have endorsed this bill. They don't think it is confusing or deceiving to tell consumers how much these drugs actually cost. Let's get down to reality. Whether it is from healthcare providers or pharmaceutical companies, many times the starting price is not the end price. But you never know where that is going to end up. It depends on the insurance company, for example, as to how much they are going to reimburse or whether there are any copays involved in it.…”