Regarding the recent article "House committee adds pharma 'bad actor' provision to FDA user fee bill" (ModernHealthcare.com, May 18), in respect to the depth of "crowd funding" of Congress by Big Pharma lobbyists, perhaps the only way to jump-start meaningful action and eliminate this toying at the edges of the pricing problem is to require all members of Congress and their staff to enjoy the privilege of having the same disconnected health insurance as their constituents. In particular, let them appreciate the full meaning of drug formularies, out-of-pocket costs, co-pays, etc.
Consider how few in Congress really appreciate the excessive cost of drugs, since they enjoy full coverage, just as the world used to be for other people. After a few months of paying out their own cash, show them what those same drugs cost in Switzerland, the U.K., E.U., Canada, Australia, etc. It's like the old adage that members of Congress are too willing to go to war until it means their own children have to fight.
Acceptable, affordable and accessible healthcare is indeed a right of all Americans; it is not to be confused with the dollars expended on marketing to ensure profitability.
M.E. Singer
Chicago