Map of life expectancy at birth from Global Education Project.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Revolving D(wh)oor

Billy Tauzin, former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who was instrumental in crafting the legislation that forbade Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for lower prices, has been named chief lobbyist for the drug industry. According to Bloomberg news, Tauzin, "A 61-year-old Louisiana Republican, Tauzin retired from his congressional role in overseeing Medicare and the Food and Drug Administration this year. He will replace Alan F. Holmer as chief executive on Jan. 3, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said today in an e-mailed statement. The group has an annual budget of more than $150 million. Tauzin will represent an industry that generated more than $216 billion in U.S. sales last year. He will have to fight states' efforts to trim drug spending and navigate the expansion of drug coverage for 41 million elderly and disabled Americans, legislation that he helped push through Congress. Abbott Laboratories Chief Executive Officer Miles White led the yearlong search for a new president. "

A big payoff to the industry's agent in Congress. As for the people of Louisiana who continually reelected this guy, and the rest of the people, we're all nothin' but suckers.

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