Generic Drugmakers Want to Keep Medicine Prices High
The generic drug industry is pushing back against a government effort to lower the cost of lifesaving medications, even though the plan is built around letting them make more generic drugs.
35 Articles by: Helen Santoro
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Helen Santoro is a journalist based in Colorado.
Key Bridge Collapse Shipowner Could Legally Skirt Liability
Big Oil and shipping interests have lobbied for years to keep a law on the books that caps their liability following deadly disasters. The company linked to the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse aims to use it to avoid paying damages and compensation.
A Former Maryland Governor Ignored Warnings About Megaships
As Maryland governor, current GOP senate candidate Larry Hogan flouted safety warnings and sought to attract massive cargo vessels to Baltimore’s port — vessels just like the one that crashed into the Key Bridge last week.
Cargo Giant in Baltimore Crash Silenced Whistleblowers
The company responsible for the Baltimore bridge collapse blocked its employees from reporting safety concerns to the US Coast Guard. It is now being sanctioned by federal regulators for violating a whistleblower protection law.
Pharma-Backed Democrats Are Fighting to Keep Drugs Expensive
For the first time ever, Medicare is negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of lifesaving medicines. Big Pharma’s favorite Democrats are working to curtail the negotiations and protect the industry’s tax loopholes.
Middlemen Are Profiting off the Broken US Pharma System
Pharmacy benefit managers push expensive medications and slash drug reimbursement rates, pocketing the profits for themselves. Congress looked set to regulate these shadowy middlemen — but $50 million in industry lobbying later, the effort has stalled.
SpaceX Is Fleeing to Elon Musk–Friendly Texas
Saddled with legal burdens, Elon Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX, is relocating to Texas to seek refuge in the state’s new business court system — which is controlled by his longtime ally, Republican governor Greg Abbott.
Tax Ivy League Endowments, and Fund Public Higher Ed
Ultrarich private universities are fighting hard against government efforts to tax their multibillion-dollar endowments. That revenue could be used to help provide low-cost public higher education for all.
Big Pharma Is Cheating Americans Out of Publicly Funded Drugs
A new report reveals that Americans funded the development of all ten drugs up for price negotiations with Medicare, but Big Pharma still wants to keep prices for those publicly funded drugs sky high.
Kathy Hochul Comes to the Aid of Shadowy Landlords
A New York anti–money laundering bill meant to crack down on anonymous real estate shell companies was seriously weakened through changes by Governor Kathy Hochul after she received millions of dollars in campaign financing from real estate interests.
Wall Street Won Another Oligarch Exemption
After pouring money into a lobbying campaign, Wall Street firms have won exemption from a law designed to curb money laundering.
Boeing’s Profit Seeking Puts Passengers in Danger
Earlier this month, a gaping hole opened in the side of a Boeing airplane with hundreds of passengers on board. If Boeing had prioritized safety upgrades over lavish executive salaries and stock buybacks, this disaster might not have happened.
Health Insurance Giants’ Directories Are Falsely Listing In-Network Providers
Many health insurers’ online provider directories are inaccurate or out of date. With no recourse for the negligence of insurance companies, providers and patients alike are suffering the consequences.
You Can Blame Corporate Profiteering for Drugs Disappearing From Your Insurance Coverage
The number of medications eliminated from many insurance plans has skyrocketed over the last decade, jumping by some 1,600%. Part of the problem lies with pharmacy benefit managers — powerful companies that determine drug benefits for health insurers.
An Insurance Giant Is Stymying Efforts to Expand Mental Health Care Coverage in Michigan
Mental health activists in Michigan are fighting for legislative change to help families pay for desperately needed care. Insurance firm Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is shelling out exorbitant amounts of money on lobbyists to stop them.