Political Quotes

“There are two rates. One is what I would call the retail rate, and the second is the wholesale rate. Insofar as the overall expenditures for individuals, if it is determined that individual requires a specific drug, which is not on the formulary, and it is medically necessary for that individual, then that particular drug will be treated as a preferred drug. Therefore, the maximum amount of copayment would be $40. But, on the wholesale level, if you would turn to page 62 of our legislation, it says that at least one but no more than two brand-name drugs shall be included for each therapeutic class unless--this is line 2 through 4--the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services determines that such limitation is clinically inappropriate for a given therapeutic class. If the Secretary of HHS determines that, let us say in the area of antidepressants, there needs to be more than two in order to be clinically appropriate, he or she has the authority to order that there will be whatever number of drugs within that therapeutic class are required. Let me point out, as the Senator already knows, that because of the defined contribution nature of the Republican plan, there is no assurance that even two drugs in any therapeutic class will be offered under their plan. As I understand it, the insurance companies, rather than the Department of Health and Human Services, will determine what the therapeutic classes will be.”