Republicans Should Join With Michigan Dems to Hold Drug Companies Accountable, End Price Gouging

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from the Michigan Democratic Party
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Contact: Paul Kanan, 517.371.5410; pkanan@michigandems.com
Republicans Should Join With Michigan Dems to Hold Drug Companies Accountable, End Price Gouging
LANSING — The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement today, on behalf of Party Chair Brandon Dillon, in support of the plan unveiled yesterday by Michigan House and Senate Democrats that seeks to stop prescription drug price-gouging and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable in Michigan. Dillon also took Michigan Republicans, like Rep. Hank Vaupel (R-Handy Township) to task for their support of the status quo, which includes the drug industry immunity law sponsored by current Attorney General Bill Schuette during his time in the state legislature. Vaupel, chair of the House Health Policy Committee, stated he “would much prefer to see the industry come up with some solution.”
“Michigan Democrats in the state House and Senate announced a game-changing plan yesterday to stop drug companies from price gouging and hold them accountable when they harm patients, yet key GOP lawmakers said they prefer the status quo or even allowing the pharmaceutical industry to regulate itself,” said Brandon Dillon, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.
“That might sound like a sick joke, but thanks to Bill Schuette, Michigan is the only state in the country that gives immunity to drug companies if they harm or a kill a patient, which explains his refusal to go directly after drug companies on their prices or practices. Continuing to allow Big Pharma to charge skyrocketing costs and letting their lobbyists write the rules hurts Michigan families, and Democrats won’t stand for it. It’s time Republicans in Lansing and D.C. start focusing on what’s best for the people, not just their donors. Michigan Democrats have proposed a commonsense plan to put people’s well-being ahead of drug company bottom lines, and Michigan Republicans should help us get it done.”
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