Emerson holds out for key vote on drugs

When it came to passing a Medicare reform bill -- one that would include coverage of prescription drugs -- in the U.S. House, the deciding vote was cast by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau after considerable head-knocking with the GOP leadership.

Emerson has for some time advocated the easing of restrictions on Americans who purchase prescriptions drugs in Canada, where prices are lower partly because of government price controls.

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration blocks the purchase by American pharmacies of U.S.-made drugs in other countries. Allowing this so-called reimportation would lower retailers' costs and likely would mean cheaper prescriptions. As a result, countless Americans who regularly purchase drugs from Canadian pharmacies would have access to cheaper drugs at their local pharmacies.

In return for her support of the Medicare legislation, Emerson was promised that the final bill would strip the FDA's prohibition on reimportation from Canada. That provision wouldn't be guaranteed, depending on the will of House members, but at least it would get serious attention for the first time.

Emerson's quest to find ways to lower the cost of prescription drugs has been a long and difficult one. Pharmaceutical companies have a strong lobbying presence in Washington.

In her ongoing effort, Emerson is fighting for something that goes far beyond pork-barrel politics.

If she is successful, many of her constituents in the 8th District will benefit -- but so will millions of Americans across the nation.