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[IL Rep] Hastert, [TN Sen] Frist said to rig bill for drug firms
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| Contributor | ArmyDem |
| Last Edited | ArmyDem Feb 09, 2006 06:25pm |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Friday, February 10, 2006 12:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Frist denies protection was added in secret
By BILL THEOBALD
Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert engineered a backroom legislative maneuver to protect pharmaceutical companies from lawsuits, say witnesses to the pre-Christmas power play.
The language was tucked into a Defense Department appropriations bill at the last minute without the approval of members of a House-Senate conference committee, say several witnesses, including a top Republican staff member.
In an interview, Frist, a doctor and Tennessee Republican, denied that the wording was added that way.
Trial lawyers and other groups condemn the law, saying it could make it nearly impossible for people harmed by a vaccine to force the drug maker to pay for their injuries.
Many in health care counter that the protection is needed to help build up the vaccine industry in the United States, especially in light of a possible avian flu pandemic. |
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