Index of SPPS Budget Discussion http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/spps-posts.html _________________________________________ Yes the bus strike is about health care. It includes health care for retired drivers. Yes part of the reason health care costs are as high as they are is due to new techniques. But if anyone has read articles about the new medicare bill you will know that this bill requires the US to pay the HIGHEST cost for prescription drugs. My understanding is this is common in the United States. While other countries buy their drugs in bulk for deep discounts. We also have the FDA requiring significant study to prove safety and efficacy. We have juries awarding deep pocket sums to victims of, in some cases questionable, malpractice suits. Ironically one of the main arguments companies give to justify their high prices is the cost of developing them. A valid argument, except many of these drugs were developed under funding from the US government. Its time the US and state health care problems get resolved, Maybe this strike will provide some incentive. Mike Fratto Payne Phalen
>>> Bruce Gaarder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 03/12/2004 7:32:56 AM >>> Index of SPPS Budget Discussion http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/spps-posts.html _________________________________________ Here's a link to an article about a similar situation where the strike hasn't started yet. It's not just lawsuits that drive up the cost of health care, it's using all of those new drugs, diagnoses, and treatments that extend our lives and help us live better lives. Health care would cost a lot less if you ddn't have CAT scanners, artificial hips/knees/hearts, allergy drugs, million-dollar babies, etc. As far as drug costs go, I have read a reference to a charities group that says that 1/3 of business charitable donations are from the big drug R&D companies. Visit www.EffectiveTransit.org The Independent Unsubsidized Voice of Citizens for Effective Transit in the Twin Cities * lrt isn't a potato chip, you can stop at just one * Bruce Gaarder Highland Park Saint Paul [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
