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There are real problems, but not everything is a giant scandal

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Illinois

* From a publication called STAT…

State lawmakers in Oregon have tried to lower high drug prices from nearly every angle: They’ve sought to cap how much people can pay for insulin, install a panel that could determine how much state agencies should pay for medicines, and even import drugs in bulk from Canada. Nearly every proposal has failed.

One reason, at least according to the effort’s supporters: Two-thirds of the state legislature accepted at least one campaign check from the drug industry during the 2020 election cycle. The trade group PhRMA, alone, wrote checks to 43 of the legislature’s 90 lawmakers.

It was even more dramatic in Louisiana, where 84% of lawmakers accepted funding from pharmaceutical companies. In California, it was 82%, and in Illinois, 76% of legislators cashed a check.

The campaign contributions are certainly an issue, but we have a lot of pharmaceutical companies in Illinois and, therefore, tons of employees here, which is part of the reason the companies get their way here. Same with insurance companies. Lots of headquarters, lots of employees. Also, most of the contributions were on the small side. Former Sen. Andy Manar received a total of $5,500 last year from three pharma interests, even though he pushed hard for caps on insulin prices. But, that revelation would upend the narrative.

* On to Crain’s…

It may be a new day in Springfield now that Mike Madigan is gone as Illinois House speaker. But certain things never change in politics, including big dollar fundraisers thrown on behalf of key lawmakers.

Coming up this very Wednesday, June 9, is a virtual fundraiser for Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who just finished up his first session as House speaker.

The event is being hosted by Personal PAC, a pro-choice group which has managed to pass much of its agenda into law in recent years but still has one big item remaining. That would be repealing the state’s parental notice law, which requires minors to involve a family member—or a judge—before having an abortion. […]

So, would you be surprised to hear that a measure sponsored by Speaker Welch to repeal the parental notice law is sitting in a House committee and waiting for a vote?

Nice framing, but did anybody think that big-dollar fundraisers would end with Madigan? Also, Welch’s bill, which he has filed before, is currently in the House Rules Committee. It’s still on First Reading. It went nowhere and it’s not currently teed up in the least. The Senate was supposed to take up the bill first, but the chamber never called it for a vote. Welch has been an ally, so of course they’re doing a fundraiser for him.

One other thing, the piece above claims that it’s not specified where the money is going, just that the cash will be “funneled” through ActBlue. I have a couple emails announcing the fundraiser. They both clearly state the contributions are to be made out to “The People for Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch.”

* And, finally, check out this lede…

An Exelon lobbyist is suing on behalf of a former Illinois lawmaker to secure a big payday for some of the same legislators who may soon vote on a massive ratepayer-funded bailout of the utility’s nuclear plants.

Whew.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 9, 21 @ 1:26 pm

Comments

“And, finally, check out this lede…” I’m only surprised they didn’t try to wedge in pension debt into that sentence.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jun 9, 21 @ 2:16 pm
We should investigate why all the colleges with journalism programs are failing so poorly.

Comment by Wow Wednesday, Jun 9, 21 @ 2:51 pm
Would as many people read the story if the lede was “Beer lobbyist is suing on behalf of a former lawmaker”? What if it was “Former House Democratic Staffer Represents former Republican House Member in paycheck dispute”?

Woulda coulda shoulda

Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Wednesday, Jun 9, 21 @ 3:06 pm
*Because…Welch* just doesn’t have the same ring to it!

Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Jun 9, 21 @ 3:10 pm
Government is usually less obviously corrupt than people give it credit for.

If only because the ways it is corrupt are usually less obvious.

Comment by Nick Wednesday, Jun 9, 21 @ 3:14 pm
Only in Illinois after finding out that the government violated the constitution by not paying people do people get upset and the idea of having to make government’s victims whole.

We owe these legislators their full salary and we deserve to pay it for buying into the childish campaign rhetoric of “voted against raising their own pay.” We might deserve better, but we won’t get better until we set some standards for the amount of political rhetoric we buy into.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Jun 9, 21 @ 3:30 pm
The Fed’s reimburse Pharma 100%. The payment for this was contracted out in 2015. At this time HFS executed a Policy Memorandum and staff were told to cease placing Contra-Indicator Controls on Drug Codes. AFSCME did not complain as this contract resulted in Zero Staff reductions. Now you know while Iles Park is so crowded during the day; job contracted out and nothing to do but go play on the swings and drink a nippy bottle for $10,000 a month. Even Contra-Indicators on Codes which require Prior Approval are being routed straight to approved payment. Should the Contractor deny a payment they receive a 12.5% of the savings. The stopping of the Contra-Indicators, including Ages on Prior Approved Drugs which shut down kidneys in infants was removed. This resulted in the Pricing Section Manager leaving and an Ethics Investigation being opened.

Comment by Al Wednesday, Jun 9, 21 @ 8:40 pm
The Simpsons called it when it comes to Exelon: https://preview.redd.it/xc4mq2j6ya471.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=98d0c29b2c2dec796433b67ef8792239d3bd247d

Comment by thechampaignlife Thursday, Jun 10, 21 @ 9:00 am