Posted by Matt Hawes on 03/17/10 3:19 PM   [Newer: Republicans to force vote on so-called "Slaughter Solution"] [Older: "States’ Rights Is Rallying Cry for Lawmakers"]

Reporter Tim Carney takes on the White House's favorite talking point for health care in his latest piece for the Washington Examiner.

The Obama team regularly dismisses opponents as industry lackeys. The Democratic National Committee blasted out e-mails this week warning that "for every member of Congress, there are eight anti-reform lobbyists swarming Capitol Hill" and "Congress is under attack from insurance lobbyists."

But drug industry lobbyists, according to Politico, spent the weekend "huddled with Democratic staffers" who needed the drug lobby to "sign off" on proposals before moving ahead. Meanwhile, we learn that the drug lobby is buying millions of dollars of ads in 43 districts where a Democratic candidate stands to suffer for supporting the bill. The doctors' lobby and the hospitals' lobby are also on board with the Senate bill....

PhRMA chief Billy Tauzin, who was vilified by Obama on the campaign trail, worked out much of this sweetheart deal in a West Wing meeting with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Tauzin visited the White House at least 11 times. He left his imprint so deeply on the current bill that it should probably be called BillyCare rather than ObamaCare....

Read the rest.

Posted 03/18/10 08:50 AM ateal Sharpsburg, GA

I wish I were surprised by this, but it's bu$iness as usual in Washington.

Posted 03/18/10 10:02 AM justinb Oklahoma City, OK

they got their foot in the door a long time ago with this deal.. wish it was reported on more often in mainstream media.

Posted 03/18/10 11:20 AM Willij4lib Everett, WA

What is the difference between a drug dealer and the people in the white house?

Posted 03/18/10 1:19 PM ateal Sharpsburg, GA

At least drug dealers only give people what they actually want. The White House is more like an inverse Robin Hood...robbing from the ordinary citizens and giving to the rich drug companies, banks, etc.