Letter: Drugs must be more affordable

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Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 | 4:03 a.m.

Insurance premiums have gone up 56 percent in the last four years. Medicare premiums will increase 17.4 percent per month in January, from $66.60 a month to 78.20 a month.

The government can't negotiate lowering drug prices with drug companies, because the pharmaceutical industry won't stand for it. The industry has a huge influence in Washington and contributes heavily to political campaigns. As a result, Congress wrote into the new Medicare law a provision that explicitly forbids Medicare from regulating drug prices in any way. So drug companies can charge whatever they want.

President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are being deceptive and untruthful about health care and drug prices. Seniors need affordable drugs. New leadership would be a welcome change.

HAZEL LEE