INFORMATION ALERT

March 29, 2007

60 Minutes Addresses Drug Lobby  

On Sunday, April 1, 60 Minutes will run a hard-hitting segment about the prescription drug lobby. The segment focuses on how the drug lobby’s enormous clout distorted the purposes of the new Medicare drug legislation and resulted in a prohibition that prevents Medicare from bargaining for more reasonable drug prices.

Part of the program is based on data from the Families USA report, No Bargain: Medicare Drug Plans Deliver High Prices. This report shows the huge differences between prices secured by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — which does bargain for cheaper drug prices — and the much higher prices charged by all the private drug plans in Medicare Part D.

The program also highlights the insidious “revolving door” and names key Medicare decision-makers from Capitol Hill and the White House who are now working for the drug industry.

The program is scheduled to air this Sunday at 7:00 E.T. on CBS. For anyone interested in the need for health care reform, this is a program that should not be missed!