Are Vioxx Lawsuits Dead?

For some time now, President Bush has wanted to limit the ability of tort attorneys to file class action lawsuits. Now with huge Vioxx lawsuits being filed and the threat of Celebrex lawsuits looming, Bush sees this as an opportuntiy that is too good to pass up.

When is he ever going to get a better chance to attack lawyers? He recently said, "What's happening all across this country is that lawyers are filing baseless suits . . . . . that means you're paying for junk lawsuits everytime you go to see your doctor . . ."

Bush likes to talk about the $28 billion that gets spent yearly on malpractice costs. The fact is, this represents only 2% of health care spending while pharmaceutical costs are 12-16%. So, is the president trying to lower drug costs or would he rather try to scare the American public?

The answer to that question was supplied by the Republicans in the form of a leaked memo called 'The Language of Lawsuit Abuse Reform'. It suggests that Republican lawmakers use terms like 'lawsuit epidemic' and 'crippling our health care system'. The memo also states, "Nothing scares a person more than needing emergency medical care and not being able to get it".

"President Bush doesn't let facts get in the way when it comes to his political goal of dismantling the legal system," said Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen. "He prefers to coddle campaign contributors, rather than protect consumers and patients," added Frank Clemente, director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch. "This is not a debate among reasonable people. It is a massive campaign of distortions carried out by the administration in league with its business allies. The fact is, the emperor has no clothes."

Do you have any doubt that Bush will side with the pharmaceutical giants against the interests of citizens that have been hurt by drugs like Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra? The lobbyists are working overtime in Washington and it should come as no surpise that on the list of contributors to the upcoming Bush inauguration, Pfizer Inc. (Celebrex and Bextra) has made the maximum $250,000 contribution.

What could be more 'Bush' than distorting the truth and scaring the American people? You remember those 'weapons of mass destruction' don't you? The ones that still haven't been found!

Related story: Vioxx Lawsuit