Go Blago Go!

Well, my silence sure didn't last long...I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to Governor Rod Blagojevich and his drug-reimportation program. Reimportation isn't the perfect solution, but anything that will give consumers some leverage over the drug companies is welcomed. This letter to the editor of the Joliet Herald-News says it all.

The announcement by Gov. Blagojevich that the I-SaveRx program is ready to help people get the drugs they need is good news-especially for seniors.

Do I buy food or fill my prescription? Do we buy his blood pressure or her arthritis medicine? These are decisions no one should have to make. But we make them everyday.

Prescription drugs costs in this country are increasing 3-4 times faster than our incomes. Whether we rely on Social Security of a paycheck, having enough money to fill our prescriptions is getting harder and harder.

Re-importation through I-SaveRx will be a safe, reliable way to get the drugs we need at a more affordable price. For the second time in as many years, Gov. Blagojevich has stood up to the drug industry to bring real help to Illinois seniors.

On the other hand, the Bush Administration has chosen to protect drug industry profits instead of Americans' access to affordable drugs. Pres. Bush and his allies in Congress continue to block bipartisan legislation that would legalize drug imports. The Bush Administration refused to work with Illinois on a pilot re-importation program. And they prohibited Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices.

Americans pay more for medicine because the federal government has chosen drug company profits over our best interests. Gov. Blagojevich's administration is fighting for us. The federal government should do the same.

Hal Gullett
President
Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans
Normal, IL