The House passed legislation Thursday effectively permitting the importation of lower-cost prescription drugs from places such as Canada, Australia and Europe...
...The bill, passed by a 237-18 vote, faces a promised veto from President Bush over its price tag, and the administration also opposes the drug importation provision...
...The administration "strongly opposes"the drug provision, which would effectively permit individuals, wholesalers and pharmacists to import lower cost U.S.-made and FDA-approved prescription drugs from Canada and other countries...
It might not pass the Senate, and it might not survive a veto. But I'm glad someone is doing something about our health care crisis. There's good news for the children, too:
Senate approves children's health bill, by Donna Smith, Reuters.
The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved legislation that would raisetobacco taxes to pay for expanding a children's health program, shrugging off a veto threat from President George W. Bush who wants a more limited plan.
The Senate voted 68-31 for the bill that would provide an extra $35 billion to provide health insurance for more children under the popular state grant program. The Senate acted a day after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a $50 billion increase financed by higher tobacco taxes and cuts in payments to private insurers in the Medicare Advantage program for the elderly...
...Bush has threatened to veto either version, which he and Republican allies have called a step toward nationalized health care.
Because nationalized health care would be bad. For the insurance companies. Boo hoo.