Newsom is going to give the state the ability to negotiate drug prices

environment the odds are against it at the federal level

When did he introduce that initially where you said the Democrats killed it. If it was in 2008-2010, then that was most likely impacted by the blue dogs, who refused to except a Universal care option during the ACA discussions. In that case they needed every vote or there would be nothing, and a short window to do it. The blue dogs at that time made it clear they would not vot for a universal care option. I don’t know if he introduced it during that time period or not

Regardless, the dynamics are different now, so it is worth not only introducing a bill to lower drug prices, but also a universal healthcare bill. While the odds are still against it, it should pressure the republicans

The Democrats in large part win the House based on healthcare campaigning

https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/01/11/senate-section/article/S282-1

I hope this article is not objectionable, i'm posting because it has a concise description of the issue. There are more liberal site links that are harsher

http://accuracy.org/release/cory-booker-joins-republican-sen-majority-to-kill-cheaper-meds/
"The Intercept reports: “Cory Booker Joins Senate Republicans to Kill Measure to Import Cheaper Medicine From Canada,” which states: “Bernie Sanders introduced a very simple symbolic amendment Wednesday night, urging the federal government to allow Americans to purchase pharmaceutical drugs from Canada, where they are considerably cheaper. Such unrestricted drug importation is currently prohibited by law.

“The policy has widespread support among Americans: one Kaiser poll taken in 2015 found that 72 percent of Americans are in favor of allowing for importation. President-elect Donald Trump also campaigned on a promise to allow for importation.

“The Senate voted down the amendment 52-46, with two senators not voting. Unusually, the vote was not purely along party lines: 13 Republicans joined Sanders and a majority of Democrats in supporting the amendment, while 13 Democrats and a majority of Republicans opposed it.

“One of those Democrats was New Jersey’s Cory Booker, who is considered a rising star in the party and a possible 2020 presidential contender.

“In a statement to the media after the vote, Booker’s office said he supports the importation of prescription drugs but that ‘any plan to allow the importation of prescription medications should also include consumer protections that ensure foreign drugs meet American safety standards. I opposed an amendment put forward last night that didn’t meet this test.'”This argument is the same one offered by the pharmaceutical industry. …

“Booker and some of his Democratic colleagues who opposed the Sanders amendment are longtime friends of the drug industry. As MapLight data shows, Booker has received more pharmaceutical manufacturing cash over the past six years than any other Democratic senator: $267,338. In addition, significant numbers of pharmaceutical and biotech firms reside in Booker’s home state of New Jersey. Other Democrats receiving six-figure donations from the industry, like [Bob] Casey, Patty Murray, and Michael Bennet, opposed the amendment.”

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Framing the narrative is vital, and Sanders uses his visibility to our advantage.

to working people.Kudos to Senator Sanders and Reps Cummings and Khanna on moving the Progressive agenda forward.