Chuck Schumer: “These wonderful drugs that make people live longer and make people live better are just getting so darn expensive that…”

“These wonderful drugs that make people live longer and make people live better are just getting so darn expensive that most people can't afford them. It is not just senior citizens, although it is certainly them. What about a family who has a child with a disease and they need that drug and the man works for a small business, the wife maybe works at home; they can't afford this drug for their child? Maybe a year from now it might be affordable, 6 months, because the generic is available. Then the pharmaceutical company goes and hires their lawyers and plays some trick and says the price is going to stay at $250 a month instead of $70 a month. What does that family think? We have an urgency here. This is not just a political game. This is not just rhetoric. This is not just a stick to beat one party up or the other party. This is what we are all about--life. Our job is to make sure people can get these wonderful drugs. I have no relish beating up on the drug companies. I think they have done great things, but unfortunately, as the Senator from Massachusetts said last night, they have lost their way.”