The u. S. Senate and on this tuesday scheduled to hold a brief pro forma session. No votes are typically scheduled during these sessions. Lawmakers meeting every three Business Days during their district work period and legislative work expected to resume on monday, september 9. This is live coverage here on cspan2. The floor of the u. S. Senate empty on this tuesday morning. The senate remained on their summer break, but during the break they hav had been holdingt are known as pro forma sessions, typically brief gavel in cavil at sessions. No votes are typically scheduled during the sessions, and as we await the start of this pro forma session which was expected to begin at 10 00, we are now 10 12. Live live coverage of the senate here on cspan2. We are Still Standing by with this live picture of the use senate chamber. The Senate Schedule told a brief pro forma session that was set for 10 a. M. Eastern. Obviously running a little bit behind. The Senate State Work Period continue. Law
Her Covert Affairs team have no influence or insight into the resourcing over all. I cant comment that we can get back to you. Thank you for your comments, congressman. So thats exactly why we are here. I speak for a section of the pharmaceutical industry that few people actually appreciate, especially given the statistics that i referenced that two out of every three new drugs approved by the fda last year actually originated in companies that are small biopharmaceutical emerging companies. We dont have a voice in washington. Excelixis is not a member of pharma. Where a number of bio. We dont hear the realities, the pains and challenges that are faced to bring an important new drug to market, represent and the debates because i think a lot of people take for granted that its all great Big Companies with huge budgets and throwing a lot of money at problems. You may be an example of someone who is at a competitive disadvantage because you dont have the same resources to deploy into thos
[inaudible conversations] the committee on Health Education and labor and pensions will come to order. Senator murray has an important meeting right now and she is asked me too proceed with the hearing because we have six excellent witnesses and we want to make sure we hear from each of you and we want the senators to has questions of each of you. So patty should arrive at about ten. When she comes we will interrupt and let her make her Opening Statement and we will resume the hearing. Good morning senator murphy. Nearly a year ago doctor brent james from the National Academy testify before Senate Health committee with a startling statistic up to one half of the American People spend on healthcare may be unnecessary. Let me repeat that, up to half of the 3. 5 trillion, the United States collectively spent on healthcare in 2017 was unnecessary according to doctor james and many of the other witnesses at our hearings agreed with that. That is 1. 8 trillion, three times as much as we spen
And activities in the United States. Well start with Rosemary Gibson. I introduce everybody first. Well start with Rosemary Gibson whose name has been mentioned already several times if you were here. Shes author of china rx exposing the risk of americas dependence on china for medicine which documents the dramatic shifts in where medicines are made in implications for National Security and american securities. Next well hear from ben westoff. Mr. Westoffs new book fentanyl inc. Which will be published in september. Fentanyl kills more americans than any drug in history. And next panelist studied at the Rand Corporation is an especial deem yol gist. Centers on Research Health among marginalized population. Well hear from mark a molecular biologist in performing Risk Assessment to sport government on bio Security Public health and bio defense. Hes one of chinas biotechnology and other foreign engagement, a report published in february 2019. We welcome all of you. We ask that you would k
Between caring for themselves and their loved ones or paying for basic necessities. These skyrocketing prices are forcing families to take on debt, sacrifice their homes or sacrifice their healthcare all together. Imagine having to pick between having a roof over your head or protecting your childs life. Between eating that day or taking a pill that you need to simply stay alive. For americans around the country these situations are an every day reality. Think about it. Americans are dying every year while pharmaceutical companies enjoy more and more profits. Our Witnesses Today represent the one in four americans who struggle to afford the drugs that keep them healthy and in many cases keep them alive. Unfortunately Drug Companies continue to raise prices, rake in record profits and lavishly reward their executives and shareholders, all while stifling competition and preventing access to lifesaving drugs. Drug Companies Make up only a quarter of the healthcare industry, but they colle