On April 5th, 2007, DOTmed reported on an effort, led by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich) and the political action committee Campaign for America's Future, to let Medicare negotiate drug costs in a similar manner as the VA. (Click here to see the complete story.) It was noted that such an arrangement could save taxpayers $30 Billion on prescription drug coverage.

The New York Times reported on April 18, 2007 that Democrats could not marshal the 60 votes needed to keep the legislation alive. Fifty-five senators, including six Republicans, supported a Democratic motion to limit debate (which would have allowed a vote on the bill). Opponents framed the issue as a choice between government control of healthcare versus individual or private control. The demise of the bill reflects politicians' desire to maintain the status quo: letting private insurers, under contract to Medicare, control drug pricing.

In terms of how serious a political blow this is to the Democrats, it was probably a long shot from the start. In a prior press conference, Sen. Stabenow was asked by DOTmed News if her side had enough support for the bill. She responded, "It is going to be difficult [in committee]... I don't think the votes are there [for the House version of the bill]." Nevertheless, Democrats noted the progress they have made this year. Under the previous Congress, the entire issue could never have been raised at all.

Regardless of the outcome of this round, the debate will continue over health care costs, and the role of government in a nation with 46 million uninsured.

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