Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care Bill

[spike]

A lobbyist for one of the world's largest biotech firms ghostwrote in whole or in part the official statements made by different Congresspersons in the Congressional Record regarding a provision of the House health care bill, a Times investigation found.

22 Republicans and 20 Democrats picked up the talking points drafted by lobbyists working for Genentech, a subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Roche.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) said: "One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that is is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country. Unfortunately, many of the largest companies that would seek to enter the biosimilar market have made their money by outsourcing their research to foreign countries like India."

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) said: "One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that is is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country. Unfortunately, many of the largest companies that would seek to enter the biosimilar market have made their money by outsourcing their research to foreign countries like India."

Rep. Yvette D Clarke (D-NY) said: "I see this bill as an exciting opportunity to create the kind of jobs we so desperately need in this country, while at the same time improving the lives of all Americans."

Rep. Donald M Payne (D-NJ) said: "I see this bill as an exciting opportunity to create the kind of jobs we so desperately need in this country, while at the same time improving the lives of ALL Americans."

Rep. K Michael Conway (R-TX) said: "I do believe the sections relating to the creation of a market for biosimilar products is one area of the bill that strikes the appropriate balance in providing lower cost options."

Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) said: "I do believe the sections relating to the creation of a market for biosimilar products is one area of the bill that strikes the appropriate balance in providing lower cost options."

Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) said: "I do believe the sections relating to the creation of a market for biosimilar products is one area of the bill that strikes the appropriate balance in providing lower cost options."

Asked about the Congressional statements, a lobbyist close to Genentech said: "This happens all the time. There was nothing nefarious about it.

...Mr Brady's chief of staff...said: "We were approached by the lobbyist, who asked if we would be willing to enter a statement in the Congressional Record...I asked him for a draft. I tweaked a couple of words. There's not much reason to reinvent the wheel on a Congressional Record entry."

Is the health care debate really a fight between Democrats and Republicans, or a battle between lobbyists and the rest of us?

http://consumerist.com/5405597/biot...ents-by-congress-critters-on-health-care-bill

 

[ResearchMonkey]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

All the more reason to NOT pass this crap of a bill that nobody's read.

 

[spike]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

More reasons to get lobbyists out of goverment. Doesn't really change the need for healthcare reform.

 

[ResearchMonkey]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

More reasons to get lobbyists out of goverment. Doesn't really change the need for healthcare reform.

Seems Obamsan's administration is full of lobbyist and seeks advice personally from some of the worst.

Yeah, we need to get rid of this failure of an Obamination administration.

 

[spike]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

Actually none of the people in the article are in Obama's administration. I do appreciate the desperate attempt at Obama whining though.

 

[ResearchMonkey]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

I understand just how difficult it can be to connect the dots sometimes. It's OK, we've come to expect that from those who were born with bad wiring.

 

[spike]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

I see your dots.

Congress people too influenced by lobbyists -> RM whines about Obama.

A tree falls in the woods -> RM bitches about Obama.

Now that's some bad ODS wiring.

 

[Winky]

The Healthcare bill is the scam of the century!

I'm gonna have to go with Boosh did it on this one.

 

[Gonz]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

Seems Obamsan's administration is full of lobbyist

I have to dispute that. Obamasan said he'd not have one single lobbyist in his administration.

 

[ResearchMonkey]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

Oh! OK, as long he says so.

 

[Gonz]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

He did promise.

 

[spike]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

Congress people too influenced by lobbyists -> RM and Gonz whine about Obama.

That some serious derangement syndrome.

 

[Gonz]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

If members of Congress are "too influenced" by lobbyists, fire 'em

 

[spike]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

There's a good idea.

 

[jimpeel]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

Remember "gravitas"?

 

[H2O boy]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) said: YOU LIE!!!!

and God bless him for speaking the truth

 

[spike]

Re: Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care

and God bless him for speaking the truth

Joe Wilson was actually lying.