The Patriot Files Forums - House Veterans Affairs Chairman Votes Against Drug Discount For Veterans!

REPRESENTATIVE STEVE BUYER (Republican/IN)VOTES AGAINST DRUG DISCOUNTS FOR RETIREES --

TRICARE drug discount motion passes 374-30, but the House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman supports pharmaceutical companies instead.

Guess who's voting against the well-being of veterans, again?

It's, Representative Steve Buyer (Republican-IN), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Buyer's voting record on veterans' issues is terrible. Details here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%
20newsflashes%20MAY%2006/newsflash05-14-2006-1.htm

I just can't figure how he could justify his vote against this.

It would save military retirees money. It would save the government money.

But, it would cost the pharmaceutical companies big bucks.

I guess we know where Buyer's allegiance lies.....And it sure isn't with this nations veterans!

How in the hell can the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee vote to help the big drug companies ......and HARM sick and/or disabled military veterans?

This is just further proof that the current leadership in Congress wants anti-veteran scumbags to be in charge of committees that will CUT FUNDING for veterans health care and benefits rather than insure that the legislation is passed that will enhance veterans benefits!

I have a news story and a press release from the House Members below.

Story here... http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/3866582.html

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House Votes To Provide Drug Discounts To Military Retirees

The US House voted 374-30 Thursday in favor of a motion by Representative Chet Edwards, (Democrat-Waco), that instructs House conferees to accept a US Senate provision to the 2007 Department of Defense authorization bill that requires pharmaceutical companies to extend Defense Department drug discounts to the TRICARE retail pharmacy program, which serves military retirees.

Drug makers are refusing to give discounts for the TRICARE retail pharmacy program, Edwards said, as they do for drugs delivered through a mail order program.

?It makes no sense that that the Department of Defense is prevented from using its buying power to negotiate lower drug prices for America?s military retirees just like the VA does for America?s veterans,? Edwards said.

?Even though pharmaceutical companies don?t want military retirees in the TRICARE health plan to be able to buy discounted drugs at local pharmacies and cut into their rather substantial profits,? Edwards said, ?I am confident that the vast majority of Americans would say that the pocketbooks of those who have served our nation in uniform should take priority over higher profits for pharmaceutical companies.?

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