What a Roomful of Republican Biotech-Paid Whores Looks Like

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As the NYT reported earlier today, Genentech/Roche wrote a Republican script and a Democratic script for its parrots to enter into the Congressional Record. Here’s what the Republican script looks like (I’m going to try to do the Democratic one next–but this is tedious stuff; and yes, Heath Shuler was working from the Republican script).

“I oppose this bill but love the appropriate balance it gives to monopolistic biologics”

Joe Wilson

I have criticized many of the provisions of this bill (H.R. 3962) and rightfully so. But in fairness, 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 to consumers without destroying a healthy and functioning industry in this country.

Jerry Moran

Mr. Speaker, after reviewing H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, listening to the concerns of Kansans, and visiting Kansas hospitals to speak with doctors, nurses, patients, and administrators, I have concluded that this bill will be harmful to Kansas and I strongly oppose it. However, 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 to patients without destroying a healthy and functioning industry in this country.

Kay Granger

Mr. Speaker, I have criticized the majority of the provisions in H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, and I will vote against it. However, I am pleased that H.R. 3962, as well as the Republican Substitute Amendment that I support, both include language relating to biosimilar products.

Lee Terry

Mr. Speaker, I have criticized many of the provisions of this bill and rightfully so. But in fairness, 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 to consumers without destroying a healthy and functioning industry in this country.

Ted Poe

I am strongly against H.R. 3962, and I will vote against it should it come to a vote on the House floor. However, 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 to consumers without destroying a healthy and functioning industry in this country.

Blaine Luetkemeyer

Mr. Speaker, I have criticized many of the provisions of this bill and rightfully so. However, one bi-partisan area that strikes the appropriate balance in providing lower-cost options to consumers without destroying a healthy and functioning industry in this country that is included in both the underlying bill, which I strongly oppose, and the Republican substitute, which I intend to support, are the sections relating to the creation of a market for biosimilar products.

Lynn Jenkins

Mr. Speaker, I have criticized many of the provisions of this bill and rightfully so. However, 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 to consumers without destroying a healthy and functioning industry in this country.

Mike Conaway

Mr. Speaker, I have criticized many of the provisions of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, and with good reason. However, I believe that the creation of a market for biosimilar products is one area of the bill that strikes the appropriate balance in providing lower cost options to consumers without destroying a healthy and functioning industry in this country.

Darrell Issa

Despite this bill’s many faults, I support the bill’s language establishing a market for biosimilars which balances the desire to provide cheaper biologics with the need to continue incentivizing investment in research and development.

Kevin McCarthy

These are some of the many concerns I have with H.R. 3962, which is why I instead support the Republican health care alternative. The alternative excludes the unnecessary and burdensome excise tax in H.R. 3962, and also includes a responsible pathway for follow-on biologics by including provisions from the Pathways for Biosimilars Act, which I am a proud cosponsor of.

[snip]

But we need solutions that strike a balance in reducing health care costs, strengthening health care access, and allowing health innovators, like our biotech industry, to continue to research and improve therapies for patients.

Heath Shuler

Mr. Speaker, as you know I am opposed to the bill we are considering today for many reasons that I have articulated previously. I am pleased, however, that the bill strikes the appropriate balance on the issue of follow on biologics. This bipartisan compromise language will provide lower cost options to consumers and my constituents  without destroying a healthy and functioning bio-tech industry in this country.

“Creating a pathway with incentives”

Joe Wilson

Creating a pathway for new products that doesn’t destroy the ability or the incentives for innovator companies to develop breakthrough technologies and at the same time providing a safe and effective way to bring competition to benefit patients is a laudable achievement.

Jerry Moran

Creating a pathway for new products that does not destroy the ability or the incentives for innovator companies to develop breakthrough technologies and, at the same time providing a safe and effective way to bring competition to benefit patients and encourage treatments, is a necessary objective.

Kay Granger

Creating a pathway for new products that doesn’t destroy the ability or the incentives for innovator companies to develop breakthrough technologies and at the same time providing a safe and effective way to bring competition to benefit patients is a laudable achievement.

Lee Terry

Creating a pathway for new products that doesn’t destroy the ability or the incentives for innovator companies to develop breakthrough technologies and at the same time providing a safe and effective way to bring competition to benefit patients is a laudable achievement.

Ted Poe

Creating a pathway for new products that doesn’t destroy the ability or the incentives for innovator companies to develop breakthrough technologies and at the same time providing a safe and effective way to bring competition to benefit patients is a laudable achievement.

Blaine Luetkemeyer

Creating a pathway for new products that doesn’t destroy the ability or the incentives for innovator companies to develop breakthrough technologies and, at the same time, providing a safe and effective way to bring competition to benefit patients is a laudable achievement.

Lynn Jenkins

Creating a pathway for new products that doesn’t destroy the ability or the incentives for innovator companies to develop breakthrough technologies and at the same time providing a safe and effective way to bring competition to benefit patients is a laudable achievement.

Mike Conaway

Creating a pathway for new products that does not destroy the ability or the incentives for innovator companies to develop breakthrough technology and at the same time provide a safe and effective way to bring competition to benefit patients is a creditable achievement.

Heath Shuler

I believe it is critical that the creation of a pathway for new products does not destroy the ability or the incentives of innovator companies to develop breakthrough technologies. We have a moral obligation to provide a safe and effective pathway of bringing competition that will benefit patients.

“I wish upon a star”

Joe Wilson

I wish we could remove this provision from this fatally flawed piece of legislation and consider it separately because it would pass with the kind of overwhelming bi-partisan support that Americans across the country wish to see.

Jerry Moran

I wish we could remove these specific provisions from H.R. 3962 and consider them separately because it would most likely pass with the kind of overwhelming bipartisan support.

Kay Granger

I wish we could remove this provision from this bill so that I could vote for it on its own. I believe that if this provision was considered on its own it would pass the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

Lee Terry

I wish we could remove this provision from this fatally flawed piece of legislation and consider it separately because it would pass with the kind of overwhelming bi-partisan support that Americans across the country wish to see.

Ted Poe

I wish we could remove this provision from this fatally flawed piece of legislation and consider it separately because it would pass with the kind of overwhelming bi-partisan support that Americans across the country wish to see.

Blaine Luetkemeyer

I wish we could remove this provision from this fatally flawed piece of legislation and consider it separately because it would pass with the kind of overwhelming bi-partisan support that Americans across the country wish to see.

Lynn Jenkins

I wish we could remove this provision from this fatally flawed piece of legislation and consider it separately because it would pass with the kind of overwhelming bipartisan support that Americans across the country wish to see.

Heath Shuler

I wish we could consider this as a stand-alone bill because it would pass with the kind of overwhelming bi-partisan support that Americans across the country wish to see.

“A homegrown success story!!!”

Joe Wilson

One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that it is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country.

Kay Granger

One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that it is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country.

Lee Terry

One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that it is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country.

Ted Poe

One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that it is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country.

Blaine Luetkemeyer

One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that it is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country.

Lynn Jenkins

One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that it is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country.

Heath Shuler

One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that it is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country and in my home state of North Carolina.

36 replies
  4. perris says:

    wow marcy, that’s a great list that demonstrates their mutual complicity, you would have thought they’d show some kind of imagination crafting their index cards talking points

  5. kieran says:

    Thanks for covering the biologics issue. There is no need for a 12-year period of exclusivity – the patent system already provides incentives and exclusivity in order to get research done. This is just a free gift to donors at the expense of patients.

  10. Mauimom says:

    Posted in last thread, but I hope you’ll agree it’s worth posting again:

    Yet more evidence of why all of us should contribute to the “Marcy Fund.”

    I hope as folks draw up their “Christmas lists,” however short or long they may be, they will say, “instead of giving me another piece of useless crap that will just further clog up my house [and cost you time, $$ and gas to find], just donate to the Marcy Fund — in my name or in yours.”

    I’d sure like to see that “thermometer” hit $150,000 by Jan. 1.

  13. Peterr says:

    Here’s one for you, Marcy: “allowing biosimilar competition”

    PAYNE: Third, this bill will create high quality research opportunities in this country. The Energy and Commerce Committee enacted a framework for allowing biosimilar competition in this country. This new class of medicines will help lower costs and bring competition to one area that is key to the future of our healthcare system. Biotechnology is on the cutting edge of efforts to reducing costly invasive procedures and allowing our constituents to live healthier and more productive lives. The creation of this new class of medicines comes with requirements for new clinical research and testing, especially in the area of whether a new biosimilar can be interchangeable with an innovator’s product. This research will create high quality and high paying jobs and it is imperative that we keep this research and these jobs in this country.

    FILNER: Third, this bill will create high quality research opportunities in this country. The Energy and Commerce Committee enacted a framework for allowing biosimilar competition in this country. This new class of medicines will help lower costs and bring competition to one area that is key to the future of our healthcare system. Biotechnology is on the cutting edge of efforts to reducing costly invasive procedures and allowing our constituents to live healthier and more productive lives. The creation of this new class of medicines comes with requirements for new clinical research and testing, especially in the area of whether a new biosimilar can be interchangeable with an innovator’s product. This research will create high quality and high paying jobs and it is imperative that we keep this research and these jobs in this country. We cannot allow these research opportunities to leave this country, and I intend to work with the Secretary of HHS and the Commissioner of the FDA to ensure they stay in the United States.

    PASCRELL: Third, H.R. 3962 will create high quality research opportunities for America. The legislation under consideration establishes a framework for allowing biosimilar competition in this country. This new class of medicines will help lower costs and bring competition to an area that is a key to the future of our health care system. Biotechnology is on the cutting edge of efforts to reduce costly invasive procedures and allow our constituents to live healthier and more productive lives. The creation of this new class of medicines comes with requirements for new clinical research and testing, especially in the area of new biosimilars’ interchangeability with innovator products. This research will create high quality and high paying jobs, and it is imperative that we keep this research and these jobs in this country. The Inspector General of Health and Humans Services is currently investigating the amount of data received from overseas clinical trials. We cannot allow these research opportunities to leave this country, and I intend to work with the Secretary of HHS and the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that the clinical studies to support the safety and interchangeability for this new class of follow-on biologics is conducted in the United States.

    CLARKE: Third, this bill will create new research opportunities in this country. The Energy and Commerce Committee enacted a framework for allowing biosimilar competition in this country. This new class of medicines will help lower costs and bring competition to one area that is key to the future of our healthcare system. Biotechnology is on the cutting edge of efforts to reduce costly invasive procedures, thereby allowing our constituents to live healthier and more productive lives. The creation of this new class of medicines comes with requirements for new clinical research and testing. This research will create high quality, high paying jobs. It is imperative that we keep this research, and these jobs in this country. We cannot allow these research opportunities to leave this country, and I intend to work with the Secretary of HHS and the Commissioner of the FDA to ensure they stay in the United States.

    HARE: This bill creates a framework for allowing biosimilar competition in this country, which has the potential to lead to a new class of generic biologic medicines that will help lower costs and bring competition to one of the areas that will be key to the future of our healthcare system. The development of generic biologics or biosimiliars has the potential to create much needed jobs here at home in clinical research and testing.

    • Peterr says:

      Looks like LINDA T. SANCHEZ had the same set of talking points, though she did a better job of rewording them:

      Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which delivers on a promise Americans have been waiting for since the New Deal, a promise that families can get the health care they need, when they need it, without facing economic ruin.

      I have previously spoken about the ways that this bill will help ensure access to affordable, high quality health care for American families. But another significant benefit of this legislation which has not received much attention is its promotion of high-paying research, high tech, and manufacturing jobs.

      Contrary to the claims that this is a “job killing bill,” in fact, this bill will create thousands of jobs here in the United States.

      First, this bill will increase demand for healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, home health workers, and more. More affordable insurance means more families getting the primary and chronic care they need instead of waiting until they need an emergency room. And it means more middle class American jobs that can’t be exported.

      Second, this bill will continue the investments begun in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus bill, to expand the use of health information technology.

      Health IT will help better manage the quality and cost of care patients receive by eliminating duplicative tests and ensuring that patients don’t receive the wrong medicine or the wrong dose. And investment in health IT creates jobs–jobs in hardware production, software design, and computer training. When we invest in quality health care for all Americans, we are investing in jobs.

      Finally, this bill will promote more of what America already does so well: medical research. By allowing more Americans access to health insurance, this bill will increase the demand for advanced medical technologies that are manufactured right here in America.

      And by creating a process for the Food and Drug Administration to approve so-called “biosimilar” drugs, this bill will encourage competition in the cutting edge field of biologic drugs.

      This new class of medicines will help cure and treat more Americans at lower costs. And the promise of protection for intellectual property and an FDA structure to approve bio-similars will result in increased investment in this industry, which already provides thousands of well-paying jobs in California and across the country.

  14. openhope says:

    Thank you, Marcy. If all the clips were played in sinc it’d sound like a bunch of school kids reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
    But this crew has way better recess time!!

  15. eCAHNomics says:

    And the taxpayer pays to have this garbage printed in the congressional record?

    Is there some kind of plagarism charge that could be brought?

  16. Loo Hoo. says:

    I wish upon a star that Darrell Issa were not representing me, so I’m going to send him a little email indicating that I know what a whore/parrot he is. Mind if I send a link?

    Great work. Cheers!

    • Peterr says:

      You might mention that in the same way that Congressional staffers tend to ignore blast emails that all say the same thing, constituents tend to do the same when they hear member after member reading off the same talking points.

    • MrWhy says:

      Charges of plagiarism probably are appropriate, but the parrots/whores seem to be willing to acknowledge the source.

      This story has The Daily Show written all over it. Let’s hope they acknowledge Marcy when they use her research.

  19. Mauimom says:

    I’m looking forward to what Rachel & Keith will do with this tomorrow night.

    [I’m hoping their staffs are smart enough to come over here and won’t just stop at the NYT report.]

    • Hmmm says:

      I would venture to hazard to risk stating a tenuous opinion that this little indiscretion has the makings of a full Rachel-and-John-Stewart twofer.

  21. JamesJoyce says:

    What was the first thing the slave-owner said to the abolitionist, who proposed freedom and constitutional protections for slaves aka human beings? “We can’t free the slaves, it will cost to much!”

    Corporate slime in legalized corporate crime, just like a King and his cohorts in mercantilism aka corporate colonial crime?

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