As reported in the NY Times, when the White House made a deal with the industry group PhRMA, they promised that pharmaceutical companies would be shielded from any further cost reduction measures if they agreed to help close the Medicare Part D coverage gap.  This means the public health insurance option, the best way to compete against private insurance companies and keep them honest, would not be allowed to negotiate the best rates on prescription drugs like any other health insurance plan does!

This not only is a huge blow the public option, but it also makes it that much harder to control out-of-control health care costs throughout the system.

To quote Rep. Raul Grijalva, "It is a pivotal issue not just about health care. Are industry groups going to be the ones at the table who get the first big piece of the pie and we just fight over the crust?"

Write to Congress and the President -- tell them to tear up this deal!

(Photo credit: cayusa on Flickr)