Drug Industry Threatening to End Support for Obama's Health Bill

This reminds of the episode of MASH where Hawkeye is willing to wheel and deal with anyone for a needed new pair of boots. Everyone in the process is out for themselves and in a complex matrix of favors Hawkeye ultimately ends up bootless. Could we be so lucky?

The drug industry is threatening to end its support for President Barack Obama's health overhaul effort because of a rift with the administration over protecting brand-name biotech drugs from low-cost generic competitors.

In an e-mail obtained Friday by The Associated Press, the president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America told the trade group's board members that "we could not support the bill" if the industry is given less than 12 years of competitive protection for the expensive products.

Obama and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., are leading the drive to shorten that period, which proponents argue would be a boon to consumers.

"Please activate immediately all of your contacts," said the e-mail from Billy Tauzin, the group's president.