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August 7, 2009

House Dems Reject Admin, Drug Industry Agreement
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Congressional Democrats say they won’t be bound by secret deals between
the White House and the pharmaceutical industry to reduce costs under
healthcare reform. The Obama administration admitted this week it
promised to oppose proposals to let the government negotiate drug prices
and extract additional savings from drug companies. In return, drug
companies pledged to reduce costs by $80 billion. On Thursday, House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated her opposition to the secret agreements,
saying lawmakers won’t be forced into accepting their terms.



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