A bill that will start us toward some transparency from the judiciary. Will importing Canadian drugs actually happen, and, if so, will they be cheaper?
Colorado's judiciary struggles with discipline and transparency. Can the legislature help provide a fix which the judiciary seems to be dragging its feet on?
I have added the bill below to my list of bills to watch because it's one I intend to support if possible.
I linked to it below so you could give it a read and see if it's one you want to support as well. As of this writing, it was not scheduled for committee in the near future, so there's some time to give it a read and think. Check back regularly, however, as the dates change quickly and often (I usually set my reminders to be checking once a week at the most).
**A quick note on expectations as you read the bill. Remember that we have 3 separate but equal branches of our government both at the Federal and state level. As such, when you read over the description of the bill you'll see how carefully things are worded. The legislature can't tell the judiciary directly how to conduct its business. They can nibble around the edges. Going by the theory that SOMETHING is better than the (mostly) nothing the judiciary has done, I still am for this bill.
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb23-1019
Quick update: I just checked this AM and the bill STILL has no committee date set. It is House Judiciary committee, however, so you can also watch that committee.
Some counterpoint to the claim that importing drugs from Canada will lower prices.
At the very least, as you might expect of politicians, they are glossing over a ton of details which have to go right.
I will leave it to you to go through the list of all the things that have to line up to make it so that ...
1. We can get drugs from Canada
2. We can sell them here
3. SOMEONE will sell them here
and ...
4. That they'll be cheaper
If you're like me you'll read the list and ask yourself how realistic it is that this policy will have any actual, practical effect. I mean, when is the last time that a series of errands on a Saturday went strictly according to plan for you?
Still, expect Polis et. al. to tout this one loudly and proudly.
At least you'll know what to think and to say when you hear it.
**One last thing: check out the screenshot attached. I didn't even consider the aspect I underlined in red. Thinking it over now, I'm not surprised that they would have to check the drugs here AFTER getting them in Canada, but I wouldn't have thought of it ahead of time. This double-checking particularly casts doubt in my mind that the drugs will be any cheaper.
https://coloradosun.com/2023/02/03/drug-prices-canada-import-medicines-colorado-opinion/