Today, the United States Senate rejected an amendment that would have given Planned Parenthood special drug pricing and helped it rake in millions more in profit across the country. The measure was defeated 52-42. (60 votes were needed for passage.)
In the ‘economic stimulus’ amendment that the Senate considered today, pro-abortion Democrats inserted language that would have helped Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, to buy drugs at dramatically discounted rates – lower than virtually anyone else.
Federal Medicaid regulations help determine the price of drugs. However, certain organizations can buy drugs at dramatically reduced prices (called ‘nominal’ drug prices). For example state-operated AIDS drug assistance programs and health care programs for the homeless are allowed to buy these reduced price drugs so they can stretch their dollar farther and help more people.
Such is the argument around this initiative. Planned Parenthood helps women in their clinics. They need a break.
However, it doesn’t seem that Planned Parenthood is in need of financial help right now. Last year, Planned Parenthood received more than $337 million in federal, state, and local government funding and had $115 million in excess revenue. (Since Planned Parenthood is officially a non-profit organization, they don’t call it profit.)
Thankfully, the Senate blocked this effort to give Planned Parenthood even more. Not only would they have gotten reduced prices on the drugs they buy, the aren’t limited on what price point they sell those drugs. In other words, Planned Parenthood would made millions in profit as they resold these drugs to the public they’re ’servicing’.
President Bush threatened to veto the legislation if it reached his desk in this form. Fortunately, the Senate acted appropriately. If you want to see how Senator voted, follow this link: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00206
