RESEARCH LINKS
Issue 1: Prescription Prices
S.2387 “We Protect American Investment in Drugs Act”
Vox: “The Bipartisan Senate Bill Aimed at Baking Big Pharma Lower Drug Prices”
Study: “Contribution of NIH Funding to New Drug Approvals 2010–2016”
The Hill Op-Ed: “Republicans Face Critical Test of Integrity on Drug Price Controls”
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Endorsement of We PAID Act
FactCheck.org: “Pinning Down Prescription Drug Prices”
Issue 2: Alaska Drilling
H.R.1146 “Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act”
NRDC: “U.S. House Passes Legislation to Protect Arctic Refuge in Historic Vote”
Courthouse News: “House Approves Ban on Oil Drilling in Arctic Refuge”
Alaska Public Media: “Democrats on U.S. House Committee Move Anti-Drilling Bill”
Natural Gas Intelligence: “House Passes Bills to Block Trump Offshore Drilling Plans”
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Issue 1: Prescription Prices
- Read the text of S.2387 or the “We Protect American Investment in Drugs Act” (link above). Is this bill the right solution to the problem of high prescription prices? What alternative solution(s) might you propose?
- Read the AARP endorsement of S.2387 (link above). How important is the issue of high prescription drug prices in the U.S.? Do you think this country is doing enough to address the problem? Why or why not?
- Read The Hill Op-Ed (link above), which offers a counter viewpoint to proponents of S.2387. How does the writer’s opinion agree or disagree with your own?
- Do you agree that price controls on prescription drugs are ultimately bad for American consumers? Why or why not?
- Compare and contrast the pro and con arguments on p. 3 of the newsletter. Where do you stand and why?
Issue 2: Alaksa Drilling
1. Should the United States suspend oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic Refuge? Why or why not?
2. Read the text of H.R.1146 “Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act” (link above). Is this bill the best solution to the problem of oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Refuge? What other solution(s) might you propose?
3. Does the money that can be made from drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic Refuge outweigh the importance of the environment? Why or why not?
4. What alternatives (such as renewable energy, etc.) might you propose to the need for oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Refuge?
5. Do you think the decision on whether to allow oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Refuge should be made at the federal or state level? Why?