Obama’s $320 Billion in Health Cuts Targets U.S. Drug Purchases
 

President Barack Obama’s deficit- trimming proposal would cut $320 billion from U.S. health programs in prescription drug and nursing home spending and by increasing individuals’ payments for Medicare coverage. The biggest cut is a $135 billion reduction in drug prices the government pays companies led by New York-based Pfizer Inc. and Whitehouse Station, New Jersey-based Merck & Co. for enrollees in both Medicare, the federal health program for the elderly and disabled, and Medicaid, the U.S.-state program for the poor. The White House released the proposals today.
“We will reform Medicare and Medicaid, but we will not abandon the fundamental commitment that this country has kept for generations,” Obama said in a speech at the White House. In total, $248 billion of the savings would come from Medicare, with another $72 billion from Medicaid. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-09-19/obama-s-320-billion-in-health-cuts-targets-u-s-drug-purchases.html

I believe the medical companies make a mint from the USA government. And are big players in government swaying of senators, etc.

I also believe that in USA, drugs are often frequently available over-the-counter for purchases. Whereas over here in Australia, the government has strict policies on drugs & many drugs require doctor prescriptions. Such drugs are not allowed to be advertised. Unlike in USA where the medical companies advertise such drugs on TV & newspapers, etc.

USA medical companies hate Australia for the above mentioned reasons. Also due to our medicare & healthcare concession systems. lol :D Our government does not allow such kinds of monopolies on medicine. Companies are always pushing for a monopoly on their products. :rolleyes: