You see, all those annoying ads for this drug or that which we should ask the doctor we cannot afford to go to about will be playing daily on our airwaves. Lobbyists assured us of that and celebrated their victory:
Lobbyists succeeded in turning back efforts in both the Senate and House that would have ended the business-tax deductions that drug makers can take for advertising.
"Healthcare Passed - Advertising Deductibility Safe!" proclaimed an e-mail news release circulated Thursday by Clark Rector, the American Advertising Federation executive vice president for government affairs. Congress was persuaded that ending the tax break for drug ads, Mr. Rector wrote, "would be a disastrous choice, both economically and politically."
http://prescriptions.blogs.nyt...
The House and Senate both considered ending the tax credits for such ads, or barring them altogether for the first two or three years of a drug's existence, but in the end the money stacked too high to resist:
The House and Senate considered proposals this year to bar such ads during the first two or three years a drug is on the market, or to end their tax deductibility as a business expense. One bill was called the "Protecting Americans from Drug Marketing Act." Supporters said the sweeping health care overhaul effort provided the ideal opportunity to take action.
Initially, as a way to come up with about $10 billion of that amount, the drug industry considered offering to give up the advertising tax deduction. But according to a person briefed on those discussions, broadcasters and other lobbying groups opposed the move. Broadcasters, magazines, newspapers and other publishers together took in more than $4 billion in drug advertising last year.
I mean really, why should we want a bill that is called the "Protecting Americans" from anything act. The only bill that seems to pass that can protect us from anything is the ones that passed that protected us from our own Constitutional rights. You know, the Patriot Act and the FISA bill??
Well face the bright side America. We may not have gotten real reform that helps the real Americans that really needed it but at least we will still get to come up with those creative explanations to tell our children and grandchildren about what "erectile disfunction" and "Priapism" is and why their grandparents are bathing outside on a hill holding hands in seperate bathtubs.
On second thought though, it appears as if many members of our Democratic caucus would be well-served if "Smiling Bob" drove his racing car to Washington and passed out his Enzyte pills to them because they definately need to grow a set. If not, at least their newfound girth would improve their golf swing.....
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