Citizens for Better Medicare

From Disinfopedia

Citizens for Better Medicare (CBM) calls itself "a grassroots organization representing the interests of patients, seniors, disabled Americans, large and small businesses, pharmaceutical research companies and many others concerned with Medicare reform." Public Citizen calls it "a collection of shills, seedy direct-mail operatives and industry-funded research and lobby groups working in tight coordination with the drug lobby."

A coalition founded and largely financed by the pharmaceutical industry, CBM has sponsored television and newspaper ads that lobby against efforts to add a drug benefit to Medicare. Several ads feature "Flo," an arthritic bowler who warns Congress not to let "big government" into her medicine cabinet. Another ad portrays a tour bus en route from Canada to the US in search of a better deal on prescription drugs. (Actually, US citizens, in large numbers, cross the borders--often on special bus tours--to Canada and Mexico to buy drugs.)

Personnel

CBM's original director was Tim Ryan, a former marketing director for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
Nona Wegner is CBM's current executive director and a registered lobbyists for the group. Wegner has represented other industry front groups including the Seniors Coalition and the Council for Affordable Health Insurance.

Funding

According to the CBM website, "Members of Citizens for Better Medicare include the Kidney Cancer Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, United Seniors Association as well as more than 300,000 individual supporters."

Public Citizen says that PhRMA "budgeted at least $65 million for television advertising since July 1999" through CBM.