This page is part of an undergraduate assignment at Davidson College
Prescription Drug Costs
What position is each candidate taking on this issue and how are the constituents represented?
Knowles: Believes that "all Alaskans deserve access to affordable medicine" (Knowles 2004). In his issue flyer, Knowles supports a measure to "legalize the importation of safe medicine from other countries"to help lower drug cost for Alaskans. “In 2002, Canadian pharmacies sold brand name drugs- many manufactured in the U.S.- at prices 40% cheaper than American pharmacies. Prescription drugs sold in the U.S. at Canadian prices could save Americans $60 billion annually” (Knowles 2004).
Knowles argues that "Alaskans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the country" (Knowles "Weekly Talking Points"). He has accused Sen. Murkowski ofsiding with pharmaceutical companies over Alaskans by voting against an amendment that would have allowed the government to create regulations so pharmacists could import safe Canadian drugs (Ruskin 2004).
Murkowski: Issued a press release concerning Drug Re-Importation affirming that "she will support drug re-importation if it can be made safe" (Murkowski 2004). While she voted against the amendment to allow the importation of prescription drugs from Canada, she voted YES on the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003. The bill "would authorize $400 billion over the next 10 years to create a prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients beginning in 2006" (OnTheIssues).
Who is best representing their constituency on this issue?
Hannah Pitkin mentions that representation means "acting in the interest of the represented." This also means that the candidate must be "capable of independent action and judgement" and while this might create conflict, "the representative must act in such a way that there is no conflict, or if it occurs an explanation is called for" (Pitkin 209).
Knowles: claims that he is acting in the interest of Alaskans by introducing to reporters 76 year-old Leah Eddy, so she can say "Why is she ( Murkowski) voting against these bills that would help seniors?... They're used by Canadians. If they're not killing Canadians, then they're certainly not going to kill us" (Ruskin 2004).
Prescription medication is a major issue on Knowles platform because he can argue that the bill Sen. Murkowski voted against prevented Alaskans from receiving safe, affordable medicine (Knowles 2004). By showing that he is concerned for his constituents' safety and wallets, he represents Alaskans better on this issue.
Murkowski: has a much more difficult time claiming that she is acting in the interest of the represented on this particular issue. Therefore she touts the rest of her health care record and explains that she would love to provide affordable medicine for Alaskans, but she wants to ensure the prescription drugs are safe.
This page was created for an undergraduate political science course at Davidson College
Send all comments, questions, and suggestions to Scott Buckhout (scbuckhout@davidson.edu).
Created: October 14, 2004
Updated: October 15, 2004