As House Republicans prepare to take the reigns, it’s clear that incoming House Government Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa is taking his responsibilities seriously. National Journal reports that Issa is doubling his investigation staff and is planning a hearing a day on Obama Administration abuses. Potential hearings include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Medicare fraud, wasteful stimulus money and hopefully attempts to ration drugs and treatments under ObamaCare.
Within three weeks, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to decide whether breast cancer patients be denied access to the life-extending drug Avastin because of its cost. The FDA does not have the authority to deny access to drugs based upon cost but that is what is happening. During deliberations, Jean Grem let the cat out of the bag when she explained her anti-Avastin vote by observing, “We aren’t supposed to talk about cost, but that’s another issue.”
Calling Mr. Issa.
What we have here is clear – it is government attempting to ration drugs based upon their cost. Does the FDA have the authority to take such action? It’s clear the answer is no. But as government begins to ratchet the cost curve on heath care down, government agencies will attempt to deny care and treatment to the sick and elderly in order to save money – if we let them.
Mr. Issa needs to draw the line in the sand now and put the FDA on notice. Perhaps Ms. Grem could be the first witness.
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