A Message From Congressman Anthony Weiner
After enjoying a brief moment of triumph for passing a health care bill with a public option in the House, it’s time to get back to work. We’ve got less than 10 days to go before Thanksgiving and lasting reform to our health system is far from a done deal.
If you didn’t think health prices were skyrocketing, take a look at your next pharmacy bill. Drug makers are on track to raise prices at the highest rate since 1992, adding $10 billion to annual drug costs. Last time drug prices rose this fast, we failed to take decisive action. Let’s not make the same mistake twice.
It should now be clear that the drug makers and big insurance companies have only one interest: profits. The news of dramatically higher drug prices is a crystal clear example of why we need a public option that will contain costs. It’s also an example of why a so-called “trigger” public option — which would only kick in if insurance companies fail to bring down costs after a waiting period — could be too late.
Americans are struggling now. The dangerous rise in health care prices means that we can’t afford to wait. We need a public option that will contain costs and give people real choices and we need it now.
Anthony
