Schwarzenegger Rewards Drug Companies by Killing Affordable Prescription Drug Plan He Touted on the Campaign Trail

Among the $700 million in mean-spirited budget vetoes by Governor Schwarzenegger today was a gift to the pharmaceutical companies that have poured nearly $5 million into his campaigns: the near-elimination of a law to provide Californians with affordable prescription drugs.

Schwarzenegger vetoed $6.3 million in funds for the California Discount Prescription Drug Program (Page 90). Schwarzenegger had twice vetoed the program before agreeing to a deal months before his re-election with Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate pro tem Don Perata.

"Today's vetoes show the mean-spiritedness of a Governor who puts the concerns of his contributors and political extremists above the needs of the people of California," said  Senator Art Torres (Ret.), Chairman of the California Democratic Party. "But it's classic Schwarzenegger: he touts bipartisanship but rewards partisan and special interests where the rubber hits the road."

Here's what Schwarzenegger said on the campaign trail about the program:

Prescription drug discount deal reached in California, San Diego Union Tribune, 8/24/06

The sweeping program would serve the uninsured who earn up to $60,000 a year for a family of four -- about triple the federal poverty level -- providing them with discounts of up to 40 percent on brand-name drugs and 60 percent on generic drugs, Schwarzenegger said yesterday at a news conference.

"I'm very happy about that," Schwarzenegger said. "It's very important that we help our vulnerable citizens. So many people out there cannot afford prescription drugs."

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