Senator Baucus Ups Pharma's Reform Ante -- To $100 Billion

Senator Max Baucus is suggesting this morning that US pharma will have to ante-up at least an additional 25 percent, or $20 billion over ten years -- to close various health care reform funding gaps. This is exactly the scenario I predicted back in January of 2009. Per Reuters:

. . . .Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, whose committee helped broker the deal, said last week drugmakers may end up paying more when the chamber's version of the bill is finally passed.

Some Wall Street analysts have pointed to potential $100 billion final price tag for drugmakers, who so far say they expect their share to remain in the same $80 billion ballpark. . . .

Stand-by, now -- for Billy Tauzin's PhRMA return-fire (pictured above right).