Santorum to sick kid: Don’t complain about $1 million drug costs

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum told the mother of a child with a rare genetic disorder on Tuesday that she shouldn’t have a problem paying $1 million a year for drugs because Apple’s iPad can cost around $900.

Speaking to more than 400 people at Woodland Park, Colorado, the former Pennsylvania senator said that demand should set prices for drugs.

“People have no problem paying $900 for an iPad,” the candidate explained. “But paying $900 for a drug they have a problem with — it keeps you alive. Why? Because you’ve been conditioned to think health care is something you can get without having to pay for it.”

Webmaster's Commentary: 

OK, I get it now: Santorum is absolutely, foaming at the mouth, barking mad. He doesn't get that many people in the US do not have medical insurance, because they don't have jobs, or the jobs they are able to find do not provide insurance.

Progressive countries in the world support pharmaceutical companies which manufacture what are called "orphan drugs", because the need is rare, and manage to keep costs and care down for the end users. Some progressive countries, like Australia, demand high taxes, but health care is free, or nearly free.

At this point in its devolution, the US cannot, by any measurement, be called a "progressive" country any more. And kids and people die because they do not have access to health care and medication in this country: that is just a fact.

Posted on Feb 02, 2012 at 09:19
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