Oh Dear: Nancy Pelosi Pulled FDA Strings To Get Democratic Super-Donor and John Edwards Hush-Money Sugar-Daddy Access To Prohibited Experimental Drug

Yeah, like we all were just thinking as the Obama Administration moved to outlaw effective but expensive anti-cancer drugs Avastin and Provenge: We know damn well the political class will have access to lifesaving drugs they outlaw for us because they want to cut costs.

What she did here, specifically, wasn't so bad. It's not that what she did here is bad, so much as she only will do this for million-dollar donors, and meanwhile she has put into operation rationing boards death panels to deny others the same sort of medicine.

It makes sense in her head, I'm sure: Some lives are just worth more than others.

Dallas' top Democratic donors will cut big checks to share dinner later this month with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Most will be motivated by a desire to protect the party's congressional majority.

Lisa Blue will have an extra reason: to say thanks for Pelosi's efforts when her husband, Fred Baron, was dying of bone marrow cancer. His only option was an experimental drug whose manufacturer refused to give permission to use it for Baron's condition.

...

A prolific Democratic fundraiser, he served as finance chief that year for his friend John Edwards, who also made his fortune in court. Baron later acknowledged funneling large sums to Edwards' mistress – a scandal that gave ammunition to those who already despised trial lawyers.

...

Somehow – Blue still isn't sure how – Pelosi cajoled the FDA to find a legal justification that let Mayo administer the drug, even without Biogen's consent.

"Nancy figured out a way," she said.

The drug beat back the cancer for a few days, but not enough.

Blue has no illusion that a typical family could pull such strings.

"There are so many cases like Fred's," she said. "One thing he taught me was politics matters. What a personal experience for me to understand how politics matters."

P.J. O'Rourke noted that when legislators control buying and selling, the first thing bought and sold are legislators.

What happens when legislators control life and death?

Via The Anchoress' comprehensive round-up of the day's top headlines.

posted by Ace at 04:55 PM

| Access Comments