Many of you responded to my last message re:  Trump’s American Health Care Act with a question: “Who are those consultants who actually take pen in hand (or place fingers on a keyboard) to produce a bill that goes before Congress? “

Answer:  It’s complicated.  But with the recent health care bill put forth by the House it all starts when 50 so-called ‘moderate’ Republican members meet for lunch on Tuesdays to consider new legislation. They have dubbed themselves The Tuesday Group. Obviously, fifty old men couldn’t even agree on whether to have dark or medium roast coffee with their meals, so they retain a cadre of consultants (read lobbyists) to do the actual drafting of pending bills.  Those consultants employed by Health and Human Services who actually drafted the Repeal & Replace Obamacare bill (American Health Care Act) are the following: If you doubt me, Google them.

Jack Kalavritinos – Trump’s pick to head the Food & Drug Admin.  Previously spent 7 years as Director of Global Lobbying for the Irish pharmaceutical and medical device company Covidien (recently sold to Medtronic) which immediately moved its headquarters to Ireland for lower taxes.

Lance B Leggitt – A lobbyist with one of the nation’s largest law firms specializing in health care practices, Baker Donelson for 11 years, is now Chief of Staff to HHS Secretary Tom Price

Keagan R. Lenihan – She is now Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Tom Price.  Previously a lobbyist at McKesson Specialty Health

Alex Pryor – Lobbying clients are AmeriHealth Caritas, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Fresenius Medical Care.

Heidi H. Stirrup –  Lobbying clients included the National assoc. of Spine Specialists and Aurora Organic Dairy and Faith Catholic Citizens.

Laura Clay Trueman – Most recently was Director of Strategic Operations for the Heritage Group, prior to that she was Director of New Business Development for United Health Group.

Given the above, is it any wonder why the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries seem to escape unchallenged and unindicted throughout both recent administrations’ feeble attempts to “fix” the health care industry?

Clearly, the House members who allegedly drafted Obama Care, and now those who drafted Trump Care, know which side of their toast will get buttered.

You are welcome.

For more, go to: jameshpyle.com