Blame Big Pharma for Out-of-Control Health Care Costs
Topics: Health
Public Release Date: October 13, 2016
Health care costs in the U.S. are some 18 percent of GNP, nearly double what other rich countries spend. We read of drug therapies that cost $100,000 a year or more, and of drug price increases that are 6 times the rate of inflation, on average, and often much more when mergers reduce competition in the industry. Is this a major driver of excessive health care costs?
ARGUING YES:
Ezekiel Emanuel: Oncologist, Bioethicist & Vice Provost, University of Pennsylvania
Neera Tanden: President and CEO, Center for American Progress
ARGUING NO:
Lori Reilly: Executive VP for Policy, Research, and Membership, PhRMA
Paul Howard: Director of Health Policy, Manhattan Institute
MODERATOR:
John Donvan: Emmy award-winning journalist