Little Rock - Today Wes Clark expressed outrage at reports that Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-La.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and one of the lead authors of the Medicare Prescription Drug bill, is close to a decision to leave Congress early to head the pharmaceutical industry's trade association: The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

"It is unconscionable and wrong that the man who led Republican efforts to pass one of the biggest boons to giant pharmaceutical companies in history is receiving a pay-off in the form of a lucrative position as chief lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry," said Clark.

Rep. Tauzin was one of the architects of the Republican prescription drug bill enacted last year which forces seniors into HMOs where they lose their choice of doctors; increases prescription drug costs for many seniors; and does not allow seniors to purchase low-cost prescription drugs from Canada. Tauzin's committee is responsible for the over site of the FDA and jointly responsible for over site of the Medicare program.

"We must bring a higher standard of leadership to Washington-- we need leaders that are looking out for people not getting payoffs from gigantic pharmaceutical companies."

One of the biggest health crises facing America is the sky-rocketing cost of prescription drugs. Today Wes Clark announced his plan to lower prescription drug prices by eliminating subsidies for giant pharmaceutical companies.