John Stossel: Your party created a prescription drug program, you voted against it. Don't elderly people need these drugs? Ron Paul: Yeah, that's why I voted against it, because these government programs failed to work. A lot of elderly were, and still are furious over that program, because it's so complex and difficult. John Stossel: But a lot of people like it, hey, I'm getting my drugs paid for, they're free. Ron Paul: You know who else likes it? The drug companies. They spent quite a few millions of dollars, they did the highest lobbying, the profiteers were the ones who really pushed that program. But the assumption shouldn't be made that if you didn't have it, people wouldn't get their drugs. The market is designed to lower prices, not raise prices.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Ron Paul argues that government drug programs fail, benefiting pharma companies more than patients, and that markets can provide cheaper drugs without such programs.
- In plain terms
- He says government drug plans are inefficient and help drug makers, while markets could lower prices.
- What can you take from it?
- Rely on market mechanisms for affordable medication.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can market competition be ensured for essential drugs?
- What safety nets are needed for low‑income patients?
Another view
Patients may still face high costs without subsidies.
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