Hightower Lowdown

An outfit calling itself Citizens for Better Medicare has spent $38 million in recent months on television ads proposing federal funding of prescription drugs for seniors. Sounds good, but exactly who are these "Citizens" for Better Medicare?

This faux grassroots organization is actually a front group for the large drug companies-funded by the drug giants and headed by the former marketing director of the industry's lobbying arm.

CBM wants Medicare to cover prescriptions, but argues that the government should do nothing to hold down the prices that these companies charge for prescripbons. These corporations-already notorious for gouging consumers-would gain millions of new customers through Medicare, then be able to bill us taxpayers for whatever rip-off price the profiteers want to charge.

It's like bank robbers demanding that the government tie up the guards and hold open the doors to the bank vault for them.

Yes, Medicare should cover prescription drugs for seniors—but as in other countries, Medicare should negobate a discounted price to keep the drug companies from robbing us.