Ransacking Foreign Medicine Cabinets Is a Bad Prescription for U.S. Healthcare
Trump Administration’s “Safe Importation Action Plan” Is Downright Dangerous
On July 31, the Trump Administration announced the “Safe Importation Action Plan” that would allow for the importation of prescription drugs from foreign markets: 1) States, wholesalers, or pharmacists could develop pilot projects to facilitate the importation of certain drugs from Canada; 2) manufacturers could reroute certain versions of FDA-approved drugs originally sold in foreign markets back into the U.S. at lower prices. This is bad plan.
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Government-Imposed Inflation Rebates Are the Wrong Way to Lower Medicare Part D Costs
Rumored proposals being considered in Congress would institute a government-imposed inflation rebate on Medicare Part D medicines, which would put the program’s successful market-based structure at risk. For seniors who rely on the program to access innovative medications, this is unacceptable…
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Senator Rick Scott Jumps into the Race to the Bottom on Global Drug Index Pricing
Recently, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced S. 977, the “Transparent Drug Pricing Act.” This bill is another attempt to curb prescription drug prices by starting a race to the bottom. S. 977 would prevent pharmaceutical companies from charging a retail price for a drug that is higher than the lowest cost for the same drug found in five other countries: Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom (U.K.). This scheme links drug prices on prices paid in a handful of countries with socialized medicine, where government bureaucrats undervalue and tightly ration access to lifesaving drugs developed here in America. It’s a ridiculous, dangerous idea that flies in the face of the President’s promise to unleash free market forces into the health care industry, and put a stop to decades of exploitation of U.S. intellectual property by foreign governments.
Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity Urges Opposition to S. 977, the Transparent Drug Pricing Act
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Takeaways from Galen Institute’s “Examination of International Drug Pricing Policies in Selected Countries Shows Prevalent Government Control over Pricing and Restrictions on Access”
The Trump Administration has proposed using its demonstration authority under the Social Security Act to test a method of reimbursement for physician-administered drugs (Medicare Part B) based on prices in 14 countries.
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HHS Secretary Azar and Sen. Bernie Sanders Lead "Race to the Bottom"
“A race to the bottom” that nobody wins. That might be the best way to describe a hastily drawn, Bernie Sanders-inspired “International Price Index” scheme by Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to base U.S. Medicare Part B drug prices on prices paid in a handful of countries with…
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TAPP Joined 54 Other Conservative Groups
TAPP joined 54 other conservative groups today and signed onto a coalition letter in opposition to HHS International Pricing Index for Medicare Part B Drugs. Read the letter here.
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TAPP Applauds Members of Congress for passing the Music Modernization Act
Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity (TAPP) applauds the efforts of Congress for passing the Music Modernization Act (MMA) last week. The Music Modernization Act creates a music licensing system and updates copyright law to help ensure songwriters are paid…
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TAPP Supports REINS Amendment to Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA)
Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity (TAPP) urges the Senate Banking Committee to include the amendment to S. 2098, the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2017 (FIRRMA), that includes the REINS Act, during floor consideration. The REINS act provides Executive Branch accountability and ensures fair access to legitimate foreign investment in our economy.
Under past...
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IP Protections Necessary in NAFTA Negotiations
TAPP supports a robust, codified and enforceable IP chapter in any modernized NAFTA agreement. As NAFTA negotiators rush to reach a mutually beneficial modernized agreement, we urge the USTR to immediately focus attention on the Intellectual Property (IP) chapter.
It is critical that any agreement in principle includes the highest possible IP standards consistent with those put forth..
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World IP Day: To the Strongest Innovators Powering Change
On this Thursday, April 26, we celebrate World IP Day. The event, started by the Global Innovation Policy Center is an annual celebration of innovation, creative ideas, and all the laws that protect intellectual property (IP). This year, World IP Day will be centered around some of the strongest women in the industry.
The theme “Powering Change: Women and innovation and creativity,”...
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Supporting the Sugar Policy Modernization Act of 2017
To keep advancing our market and our economy, it is crucial that we advocate for proper legal reforms that benefit our consumers, taxpayers and all the small-business owners across the country. The Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity, along with other organizations, directed a letter to senators and representatives, urging them to support the Sugar Policy Modernization Act of 2017, S. 2086...
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On Round Three, There’s Still Room for Improvement with NAFTA
The third round of negotiations for the North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came to an end over the past weeks – and trade officials from the U.S, Canada, and Mexico managed to reach consensus on some matters. However, a level of skepticism still remains as the three countries have yet to discuss the most divisive issues, such as the arbitration panels for disputes established in NAFTA’s...
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Renegotiating NAFTA: Improvement, Not Withdrawal.
As renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) begin to take place, a concerning scenario in which the United States decides to withdraw from the agreement has become main discussion among industries, trade associations, and the millions of workers whose jobs would be affected if the U.S walked out of NAFTA.
The agreement, which was established in 1994 with our...
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Mr. Vishal Amin, new Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator
Mr. Vishal Amin, new Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator: On Thursday, August 3rd 2017, the Senate unanimously confirmed Mr. Vishal Amin,as the new Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) for the White House, a highly qualified nominee to assume this position.
Nominated by President Trump, Mr Amin currently serves as a Senior Counsel on the house Judiciary...
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Kudos for backing US-Cuba reset
I’d like to offer support to Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) in his continuous efforts to maintain the United States’ growing relationship with Cuba (“Moving forward, not back: The U.S.- Cuba relationship,” June 15).
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Why We Should Continue to Engage with Cuba
While the United States continues to make progress in establishing opportunities for trade and economic growth with other countries around the world, we must not ignore the same opportunities presented only 100 miles away from our border, with our neighbor Cuba.
Recent reports suggesting the Trump administration may roll back progress made between America and Cuba have raised concern...
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Branstad's New Role As Chinese Ambassador Means Hope for U.S. Agriculture
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has been named U.S. Ambassador to China after an 83-13 Senate vote, making him the fifth confirmed ambassador of the Trump administration. In his new role, Branstad will assume responsibility for creating a positive diplomatic relationship between the Untied States and China, with far reaching implications in areas such as national security and trade.
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Coalition Groups Encourage Newly Confirmed USTR Lighthizer to Modernize NAFTA
May 17, 2017
Ambassador Lighthizer
United States Trade Representative
Office of United States Trade Representative
600 17th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20006
Dear Ambassador Lighthizer,
On behalf of the following organizations representing millions of Americans, we write to congratulate you on your confirmation...
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US Should Forge New Pro-Trade Path Under Lighthizer
Finally, after four months of waiting, the United States has a new Trade Representative – Robert Lighthizer. Lighthizer steps in as USTR during what could potentially be a large shift in American trade policy under the Trump administration. Lighthizer’s career has, on paper, prepared him well for the role, which has taken on a new importance following trade-related tension in relationships...
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TAPP Celebrates the First Step Toward a Bilateral Agreement Between the United States and China
The recent announcement from Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, explained the first results of negotiations between the United States and China as part of a trade agreement. The 10-point deal opens U.S. beef imports to the Chinese market after more than a decade, and also gives China the chance to export poultry...
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