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Seniors’ Website Publisher Says Magazine’s Comments about Senator Clinton’s Relationship with Pharmaceutical Industry Raises Concerns
Drug Industry Lobbying called into question as part of Clinton Campaign
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September 19, 2007 (FPRC) -- The publisher of a leading informational website for America’s seniors says that a statement in the latest issue of Newsweek Magazine about Senator Hillary Clinton’s relationship with the pharmaceutical industry is ‘disquieting’ because it implies that she might be taking positions that favor the drug companies at the expense of ordinary citizens.
Daniel Hines, publisher of www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com, says that the statement in the story notes that the Democratic Presidential Candidate’s staff is “constantly engaged” with ‘Big Pharma’s lobbyists”, leading Billy Tauzin, the president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to “take comfort” in what he cites as a change on the part of Senator Clinton.
Tauzin is the former Congressman who engineered a last-minute deal on behalf of the drug industry which forbid price negotiations on Medicare Part D (the prescription drug card plan) and was rewarded with a $2 million a year position as the industry group’s president.
“This is a blatant examples of the impact of the millions of dollars spent by pharmaceutical companies to the detriment of millions of Americans,” Hines says. “If Senator Clinton has now decided to ally herself with these people, it is a matter of concern. If not, then a clarification is in order.”
Repeated requests to Senator Clinton’s campaign press staff for a response to the magazine comments were ignored.
The full statement from the magazine article follows:
“She’s made nice with the pharmaceutical industry, too. Big Pharma’s lobbyists are constantly engaged with her staff, as they are with other members of Congress. ‘Hillary recognizes the important role of employer-provided health insurance and the important role of private markets in insuring the people in the country,’ says Billy Tauzin, the president of PhRMA (the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a trade group for the industry), who voted against her first plan when he was a member of Congress. ‘I take comfort in that.’ “
Hines noted that the article, which illustrates how Senator Clinton has won over former opponents in the insurance and health care industry, coincides with her release of her plan to deal with medical insurance coverage for America’s uninsured. The article also notes that the former opponents of Senator Clinton’s previous positions have become major sources of funds for her campaign.
“At first review, the plan seems to be a departure from her earlier support of true Universal Health Care coverage,” Hines notes. “Several have questioned if the plan which ‘mandates’ coverage will benefit only large insurance companies.”
“The failure of the Senator’s campaign staff to provide clarification or to respond to inquiries only creates more uncertainty…uncertainty that can be erased with only be the Senator amplifying upon Tauzin’s comments about his comfort level.”
Send an email to Daniel Hines of seniors issues
314-308-2545
Keywords:
presidential election 2008, Clinton Campaign relationship, drug company influence
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