Montel’s New Tune

Remember those touching commercials featuring Montel Williams, riding across America on a big orange bus, giving away free medicine to the needy? Well, that PR campaign designed to downplay the healthcare issue at election time has been replaced with a clever regrouping since the Democrats’ widespread victories. While the implicit message was, “Come on, you don’t need the government’s help—business will take care of you,” now it’s “OK, we know the thrashing’s coming—please take it easy!”

I haven’t seen every minute of every PPA commercial, but does anyone recall Montel claiming that we deserve affordable healthcare? In the new commercial, he highlights the millions forced to choose between food and medicine, and concludes: 

“…That’s why everyone should have affordable health insurance. Until then, America’s pharmaceutical research companies are committed to helping uninsured and struggling patients through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Because doing what’s best for patients, is best for everyone.”

I know, someone out there thinks I’m an unreasonable cynic. “PPA’s doing lots of good, Matt. And you want to bash it?”

Rather than putting patients’ interests first, I’m willing to bet that the big dogs backing PPA—The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America—want their interests put first. And that means keeping profits as high as possible. PPA isn’t evidence that PhRMA cares more about the sick than themselves—it’s evidence that mounting pressure to curtail prescription costs has forced them to invest in some serious propaganda. 

I know, someone out there thinks I’m an unreasonable cynic. “PPA’s doing lots of good, Matt. And you want to bash it?” 

I don’t deny that the organization does some good. According to their website, they’ve assisted over 5 million Americans. (Keep in mind though that the average discount to each of those 5 million could be insignificant—PhRMA doesn’t provide those numbers). But according to that same website, PPA just launched in April 2005. How long have those companies been in business? Now they care?

Late’s definitley better than never, but surely it’s not coincidence that they only got serious about drugs for the poor right about the time it looked like a serious healthcare advocate was a viable candidate for president (Hillary). And maybe they noticed Michael Moore’s “Sicko” coming down the track?

Whatever good they do, and whatever their intentions, I just thought it was telling that their story would change so quickly after the election. Kinda makes you wonder why they waited until now to say that everyone deserves affordable healthcare. Kinda makes all that cynic talk not sound so cynical after all.

One last piece of evidence. Check out the slew of PPA testomonials on youtube, uploaded by user “ppanow” on NOVEMBER-FREAKING-FIFTH.

—Matt Deaton—