The American health care system is broken and the time to fix it is now. Martha supports comprehensive health care reform now because America cannot afford to wait. As Attorney General, Martha filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and health
insurers that drive up health care costs. Martha believes health care reform should build on the successes we've had in Massachusetts and focus on accomplishing three key goals: (1) expanding coverage; (2) improving quality; and (3) reducing costs.
Source: Campaign website, www.marthacoakley.com, "Issues"
Oct 1, 2009
Pushed Pfizer to pay $15M for Medicare fraud
Attorney General Coakley's Office reached an agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, resolving allegations that the company engaged in improper marketing practices to promote the sales of a variety of its drugs. Under the terms of this landmar
settlement, Pfizer will pay $14,728,408 to the Massachusetts Medicaid Program, which provides funds for health care products and services to eligible low-income individuals, including people with disabilities, children and elder citizens. This is the
largest national settlement in history in a health care fraud matter [totaling $700M in 9 states].
"This settlement sends a strong message to the pharmaceutical industry and to the broader healthcare community that illegal and improper practices will
not be tolerated," said Coakley. "State and federal prosecutors take very seriously their responsibility to police the Medicaid program, and we will continue to work together to identify and root out fraud and abuse in the health care industry."
Source: Press release on Attorney General website, www.mass.gov
Sep 2, 2009
Require drug manufacturers to disclose risks
Attorney General Coakley applauded the US Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Wyeth v. Levine. "The Supreme Court recognized the critical role that states play to ensure that drug manufacturers disclose risks promptly," said Coakley.
The case involved
Diane Levine, who was given Wyeth's anti-nausea drug, Phenergan. In April 2000, Levine received Phenergan through the "IV Push" method, and the drug was mistakenly injected into an artery, causing injuries that led to the amputation of her right arm belo
the elbow. A jury awarded Levine $6.8 million, on grounds that Wyeth failed to provide adequate warnings about the IV Push method.
In the past year, AG Coakley's office has settled several state law consumer protection cases against pharmaceutical
companies, including a $58 million multistate case against Merck relating to painkiller Vioxx; a $62 million case against Eli Lilly relating to antipsychotic drug Zyprexa; and a $60 million case against Pfizer relating to anti-inflammatory drug Bextra.
Source: Press release on Attorney General website, www.mass.gov
Mar 4, 2009
