Biden cancels cures

This week, the Biden Administration announced the first 10 drugs that the federal government will subject to price controls under last year’s so-called Inflation “Reduction” Act (IRA). On its face, this move may look like it helps patients; but, these disastrous government price controls will create shortages, increase costs on other drugs, and have already resulted in fewer life-saving cures and treatments from entering the market.

In health care, shortages and a lack of innovation cost lives.

The IRA, one of the worst pieces of legislation I’ve seen pass the House during my time in Congress, gives government bureaucrats the power to “negotiate” the price of prescription drugs on behalf of Medicare. This means that Washington bureaucrats have the power to simply determine the price he or she deems acceptable for a prescription drug and impose a steep tax of up to 95 percent if the company refuses to participate in their scheme. This is government extortion, not negotiation. Don’t think for a second that companies will just absorb those costs, either – patients are still going to pay for it through price hikes on other drugs and treatments or companies will cut back on their ongoing research.

Drug manufacturers need to do a better job with their pricing, there’s no question about that. But this president is losing his own game of health care whac-a-mole by addressing one issue without acknowledging the several others that popped up because of it.

Actions have consequences, policies have consequences, and we must be realistic about what those are if we are ever going to make positive changes in this country.

When I first started practicing pharmacy, when a person was diagnosed with Hepatitis C they were going to die. Now, you can cure it with one pill. This is the type of life-saving medical innovation that the United States is known for. Our patients can’t afford to lose that, and neither can the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, because of this bill, we have already seen multiple drugs get pulled from coming to market and one manufacturer has already dropped several early-stage cancer drugs from its pipeline. One manufacturer has made clear they are “not going to do certain [clinical] trials…because it is becoming financially not viable.” Without giving any thought to the consequences or tradeoffs, the Biden administration will be responsible for an abhorrent loss of life because of this policy.

Instead of pushing this disastrous policy, we must address the root cause of high prescription drug prices – the pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, which you can read about here. I’m all for making prescription drugs more affordable, but that can’t happen at the expense of saving lives and giving patients hope.

buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're discussing Hurricane Idalia and how to prepare for the next weather emergency.

FROM OUR NATION'S CAPITOL CDXXIV

Monday, August 28, 2023: On Saturday I was honored to join the Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity as they celebrated their 40th birthday with a family reunion bash in Savannah. This great organization helps create affordable home ownership for families, and on Saturday they had four homeowners ceremonially burn their mortgages as they had paid them off.

Today my day begins with a virtual meeting in our Savannah District office with our office consultant as we review the workings of our office and discuss areas for improvement. Next, I head to Memorial Medical Center in Savannah where I meet with representatives from Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG), a nonprofit organization that provides programs and support services for people with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

Today I visit their telehealth clinic which started in March of 2021 and provides high-quality and comprehensive care and clinical services to the bleeding disorder community. Afterwards, I head to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force as I meet with CEO Scott Loehr and board members Ed Hawie, Bill Jones III, and Sandy Alderson. The first speech I ever gave as Mayor of Pooler in 1996 was at the ribbon cutting of the Mighty Eighth and I am delighted to hear of the progress they have made at the museum and the great work that continues there.

Later, I head to the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire in midtown Savannah as I meet with their fine staff to learn more about this great program. For over 30 years, this program has helped citizens of our area manage conflict by providing education, training, mediation, conferencing, and increasing access to justice.

Once back in our Savannah District office, I meet with members of the Georgia Commercial Fisherman’s Association to discuss pending legislation that will impact their livelihood.

Next, I join in on a GOP conference call with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to discuss the upcoming end of the fiscal year on September 30th before meeting with a constituent to discuss the Russia/Ukraine war and other national issues.

My final meeting of the day is with the Tybee Island Republican Club (TIRC) where I am honored to bring them up to date on federal issues before my state colleagues Sen. Ben Watson (R-Sav) and Rep. Jessie Petrea (R-Sav) bring them up to date on state issues.

Carter addresses Tybee Island Republican Club

Tuesday, August 29, 2023: I’m up early and at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Glynn County this morning as I am honored to speak at the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) Benefits Professionals (BENPRO) Conference, an annual conference for HR benefits professionals. A division of the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), SHBP serves as the state’s administrator of health insurance coverage for state employees, teachers, public school employees, retirees, former employees, and covered dependents.

Afterwards, I head to our Brunswick District office and join in on our all-staff conference call before heading to the Brunswick Exchange Club where I am honored to bring them up to date on news from Washington. During the meeting, we experience the initial impact of Hurricane Idalia as the rain and winds begin to pick up outside. Afterwards, I have a quick meeting with one of the newest members of the Brunswick Housing Authority to discuss one of the great tiny house projects in the city.

Next, I head to the Pate Building in Glynn County where County and City leaders are meeting with Emergency Management Administration (EMA) officials for an update on the weather. After witnessing the great planning and preparedness of these emergency professionals, I head to Savannah where I stop by the studios of WTOC-TV for an on-camera interview to discuss the arrival of Hurricane Idalia.

Once at home in Pooler, I host a tele-town hall meeting where I have as my special guests Rep. Glenn ‘G.T.’ Thompson (R-PA), Chair of the Agriculture Committee, who discusses the upcoming Farm Bill, and Dr. Matt Sitkowski, Science Editor-In-Chief with the Weather Channel, who brings us up to date on Hurricane Idalia.

Carter meets with Brunswick Exchange Club

Wednesday, August 30, 2023: I’m up early again today and live on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria as we discuss Hurricane Idalia, the horrible prescription drug pricing provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the upcoming end of the federal fiscal year.

Afterwards, I have radio interviews with Scott Ryfun on Straight Talk Radio and on the World Famous Butch and Bob show in Jesup as we discuss preparations for Hurricane Idalia which made landfall in Florida this morning as a Category 3 Hurricane and is on the path to impact the First District later today.

Because of the impending storm, events have obviously been canceled today. As we all hunker down for the day, our thoughts and prayers are with the people in the panhandle of Florida who have taken the brunt of this very serious storm.

Carter discusses Hurricane Idalia on Mornings with Maria

Thursday, August 31, 2023: I’ve always said, “I’d rather be lucky than good.” Well, in the case of the impact of Hurricane Idalia on the First District, we were both. We were lucky that the intensity of the storm was not as great as we had anticipated. We were also good in that we have some of the best EMAs throughout our district who helped us prepare for this storm. Like many throughout the storm's path, I lost power almost 24 hours ago, but I still have phone service and join CSPAN this morning as I give national viewers an update on the impact of the storm on our district.

Next, I head to our Savannah District office where I have a meeting with representatives from GeoVax as they update me on their progress with vaccine production. Afterwards, I have a virtual call with the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) as they bring me up to date on legislation they are pushing in Washington, before heading to Hinesville in Liberty County where I meet with EMA officials for a report on their area. Afterwards, have a press conference with news outlets from the area.

During the drive back to our Savannah District office, I join in on our all-staff conference call. Once in the office, I record a video for an upcoming GAB conference as well as this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing. My final interview of the day is with Centerpoint as I discuss Hurricane Idalia and the horrible prescription drug pricing provisions in the IRA.

Friday, September 1, 2023: I’m in our Brunswick office this morning as I have a virtual call with interested parties to discuss the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act that I am the lead Republican sponsor of in the House.

Afterwards, I have a phone interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) to discuss the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act before heading to Blackshear in Pierce County where I meet with city and county leaders who give me an assessment of the impact of Hurricane Idalia as well as bring me up to date on the area.

Next, I head to the train depot in Blackshear for a very special ceremony where I am honored to present a long overdue Purple Heart medal to Deryl Ammons for his heroic service during the Vietnam War. Serving in Washington as the Representative of the First District of Georgia is a true honor, and recognizing true American heroes like Deryl Ammons is one of the greatest honors.

Afterwards, I head to Alma in Bacon County where I meet with County Commission Chair Shane Taylor, EMA director Danny Turner, and staff to get an assessment of the damage done by Hurricane Idalia. My final stop is in Baxley in Appling County as I meet with city and county officials and EMA personnel for an update on the Hurricane. Unfortunately, Appling suffered a great deal of flooding resulting in roads being washed out and apartment buildings being flooded. Along with Ware County, where they had a number of trees down, Appling probably suffered the most damage in our district.

Carter presents Purple Heart award to Deryl Ammons