With all respect, Iam not clear what it is you read from or into my post (above), for sure the post was not about good or bad life choice(s) or who ends up to pay for the bad ones. People don’t just go to Health Food stores because they are sick, some (me) enjoy a full life from what it offers beyond just good food; fact is though, some have made the right life choices and still face life or death at some point in life. So to end on “Health Food stores” it is only a choice and some products sold in such stores are patented too !. As for conservatives, Iam one, to care has nothing to do with conservatives. or otherwise I believe. To start, I offer only this, people have had choices removed, treatments here in the US are what they are, having only few been able not only to pay, but go outside the US to get treatments not available in the US by law. Patents on drugs is not the problem, responsibility is !, because if the law is going to protect, a balance of choice and what is available is a must that cannot be avoided in the law. If drug companies are working on drugs needed,as I can’t see making them for another reason ?, those drugs must be made available even if the drug tech is protected by patent law. If not, the law has failed the public, patents then in my opinion become walls with the law as gate keeper. Keeping others from making patented tech drugs that would be a short cost reach for many to make, is again going too far when trying to protect.

Not sure what it means that we agree with Dean. I tend to think he is a good guy with strong beliefs, most of which I disagree with. I would, however, be happy to have someone like him in a role of power in government. I think we need to pick lane and I can certainly respect others with strong beliefs based on principles and experiences. The fact that such a high profile politician is willing to come out on this issue makes me enormously hopeful. I hope this was not just a quick op-ed piece. I hope he will continue to bring attention to this and other important issues in this space.

-Gene

I agree with you. People really need to take responsibility for themselves. In a lot of cases those who made conscious choices are now living with their own choices and wanting the rest of us, who made different and far more responsible choices, to compensate them for being irresponsible. I mean if you are going to drop out of high school, drink heavily, do drugs and be content making minimum wage or be happy with a hard labor job, then a decision has been made not to get an education, not to treat your body right and leads to problems later in life and the inability to afford life. I didn’t make those choices and at some time I find it offensive that those who were irresponsible want others to pay for their irresponsibility.

On the other hand (and before anyone tells me I am heartless and greedy again), a lot of time people find themselves in situations not of their own creation. That is what welfare should address. So there are no absolutes, and I do have a heart and I do care, as do most conservatives. Just because I and others think people should have to live with the consequences of repeatedly bad life choices does not mean I have no heart. It means I have a brain.

-Gene

Very interesting piece on Dean’s stance on biosimilars legislation. Unlike Obama, and as you point out, Dean is a doctor by training, and thus understands better the technology and business, as well as the significant differences (in technology, risk and cost between traditional drugs and the new biotech drugs. As political conservative, I too feel funny about agreeing with Dean, but he is correct on this issue.