This little piggy gets roast beef

In these tough economic times U.S. Health Insurance Companies justify a 9% rise in prices for no-name pharmaceutical medicines. Despite their denials it seems they want to send a strong message to Health Reformists who are proposing at least some semblance of coverage for millions of its people. As we know about 30+ million of the poorest U.S. citizens do not have access to quality affordable health care. It certainly makes one wonder about the priorities corporations and some politicians hold when they appear to defend a view that health care should not be extended to those trapped in poverty. The thing that bothers me is the indifferent attitude these pharmaceuticals have taken to those who are struggling financially. They seem to be more concerned about their bottom line than the health of those who need help most.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/business/16drugprices.htm

Ron Rogers: “Price adjustments for our products have no connection to health care reform,” said Ron Rogers, a spokesman for Merck, which raised its prices about 8.9 percent in the last year, according to a stock analyst’s report.... (more)