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The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
According to a recent poll conducted by the Tennessee Employer Benefits Alliance (TEBA) and Endeavor Business Intelligence, Tennesseans are incredibly concerned about the influence pharmaceutical companies have over Tennessee lawmakers.
The sample used for this poll was 500 Tennessee residents.
Poll results showed that 70% of the participants believe pharmaceutical companies “wield too much power” over Tennessee lawmakers.
Under the same line of questioning, 65% of respondents said that healthcare providers also have too much influence over state lawmakers.
When participants were asked who bears the most responsibility for the high cost of prescription medicines, 47% of respondents blamed pharmaceutical companies and 28% blamed the government.
86% of respondents were also recorded as believing that “legislators should fully understand the cost to consumers for drugs and health care before passing new laws.”
Approximately 48% of poll participants opposed the state legislature passing any laws that may restrict a business’ options for designing their own health care plan.
TEBA Chairman, Michael G. Curcio, thinks these poll results clearly highlight an urgent need for transparency and affordability.
“The message is loud and clear. Tennesseans want a health care system that works for them—not for special interests,” Curcio stated. “Families and small businesses cannot continue to shoulder the burden of rising health care expenses.”
The concern expressed by Tennesseans who participated in this poll is by no means unwarranted.
Back in February of 2023, The Tennessee Conservative released a Follow the Money Report to provide Tennesseans with a snapshot of financial contributors for some of Tennessee’s highest-ranking lawmakers including Gov. Bill Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Speaker Cameron Sexton, House Majority Leader William Lamberth, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and several key committee chairs.
According to The Tennessee Conservative’s Follow the Money Report, Gov. Lee and some of Tennessee’s highest-ranking Republican lawmakers raked in a whopping $297,329 in “Healthcare” contributions throughout the first three quarters of 2022.
For the purposes of that report, contributions that fall under the “Healthcare” category include contributions from special interests ranging from doctors to hospitals to pharmaceutical companies.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
