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Poll Results and Comments : Trump vs Pharma, GOP Budget Plan and Mushrooms Against Parkinson's

Author

Anna Eisenberg
May 13, 2025

Anna's Daybreak News

Just facts, you think for yourself

Do you agree with the assertion that high drug prices are primarily due to U.S. companies subsidizing lower prices in other countries?


  • 63% Yes, that is a valid point
  • 37% No, other factors are more significant

EmailComments
lkdn...Mostly just avarice.
gkri...Other countries have strong government regulation on drugs prices. Pharmaceutical companies charge US more for drugs because our gov allows them to and the excess profit generally goes to the Pharma bottom line profits, not subsidizing drugs purchased by other countries.
luck...Other factors include our predatory healthcare system with PBMs playing a central role in our astronomical prices
mark...Everything should be reduced as everything is subsidized for other countries.
jane...I ran a medical office. I have stories. Follow the money.
kris...The US utilizes PBMs - that is what is hiking up drug pricing.
zack...It is sad that some people still can not celebrate when this admin does something great. This is a massive win for the country. Something Dems have been talking about for decades. Will the masters allow them to support this ?? MAHA is real!!!!!
pete...Traditionally the US have allowed drug companies to charge whatever they like. Other countries generally regulate drug prices.
memi...1. Governmental corruption in the U. S. 2. Money in Politics
eoli...Cost of lawsuits in US
ycru...Healthcare in the USA is a get rich quick scheme
pric...Stop pharma advertising . More$ is spent on ads than on drug developmemt.
jflo...Greed!!!
geor...Most other countries have only one group negotiating drug prices. In the IS there are thousands of insurance companies separately negotiating drug prices. Then add all the hospitals and clinics, and there is no doubt it costs more to get drugs in the US! And for years our Congress people have supported Pharmaceutical companies. Until the Biden Administration, there was a law that made it unlawful for Medicare to negotiate drug prices. And oh boy where was Trump during his first term - he supported the pharmaceutical companies!
kris...The pharma companies do it because they can get away with it. They are greedy. They do not care about human welfare. Most of their drugs cause more problems than they fix.
mara...The cost of research is what keeps drug prices high.
jare...Pharma companies will charge what the market will bear, and in the US that's driven by insurance coverage. Most drugs are not affordable out of pocket so our insurance determines what we will pay. Insurance companies will love Trump's approach but will that actually reduce consumer costs, or will those increased margins just make insurance companies more profitable?
anth...US funds all the innovation but developed EU refuses to to reimburse a fairly even if the price is fair to the value to patients and system!
mich...The question could be clearer. You do not say which US companies or even what industry. The question that also lamps are drug prices together. Perhaps a better way to state the question would be Do you agree with the assertion that US pharmaceutical companies are subsidizing foreign countries drug prices by charging higher prices to US consumers?
jimb...Most companies base their business on US sales are will ing to sell into low priced markets to help absorb fixed overheads. Regions/Markets set their price based on willingness to pay. Nobody invests in technology for low priced markets, thats why you see no innovation there.
skoc...So much more goes into the price of medicine
atli...Greed
jgtr...I lived in England and Germany. I know the cost of prescription drugs were lower in those countries for the exact same medications. If it was a formulary (not generic) the cost was significantly lower. I only know what the prescription cost me. I don’t know how much was paid by the government. So that comparative analysis needs to be clear l — compare apples to apples. Here’s a thought though. Eliminate TV ads of prescription drugs. I know I hate watching those ads with endless legal disclaimers and I’m probably not alone. That must cost a small fortune for the drug companies. Put those dollars back in the consumers products. It’s a start!!
fuhr...I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. Other countries have national healthcare which negotiates better prices. Also, other countries don’t have the highly litigious legal environment where massive punitive damages are not uncommon. Being sued is a constant reality for a U.S. pharmaceutical company.
cmar...Agreed US has been funding research and then turning around and been charged highest prices in many cases. As usual, suspicious what Trump's end game is.
lora...I spent nearly 40 years working internationally over the entire globe. I was appalled on what drugs cost in the US vs other countries such as Canada, Mexico, China, Russia, UK, France, Italy etc. We pay anywhere from 20-100% more than these countries for the same drugs. These drugs all come from the China and India manufacturing plants.
kath...Also much of the research has been subsidized by the federal government at least in the past
glen...prices are lower in other countries because they are single payer systems and have minimal innovation in medicines. this will simply drive companies to stop selling their drugs internationally and therefore having no prices to reference. pure stupidity.
vbre...Research
tyle...Trump is amazing
tamp...When your prescription co-pay for ProAir is $75 with your health insurance yet you can purchase same product (and over the counter) in Mexico for $5, there is an issue with US paying significantly higher prices.
blup...They aren't "subsidizing lower prices in other countries." They are artificially inflating the price in the American market, in conjunction with insurance agencies and healthcare companies. They know they can charge more in America because they can get away with it
deni...pharmacy benefit managers and the whole system need an overhaul
marc...This has been well known and admitted to by pharma for a long time. The issue is no one ever did anything about it. This is long overdue and should be welcomed by everyone.
lass...Kept higher for profits and to cover cost of research
akyg...No, I just think pharmaceuticals are gouging Americans because they can and greed. No corporate morals.
trag...I am not sure how drug companies would benefit from subsidizing other countries at US expense especially if they are US companies
caro...Other countries have National Health Services supported by paying a higher tax that covers: healthcare, childcare, and social services. Trump is an idiot, he doesn’t even know how government works. He is ruining our country and the American way of life.
ngra...I don't agree with much of or how Trump imposes his will, but this is one I do support - finally. Flip side : it may well curtail the research capacities of pharma but s9 be it - let's turn our attention to more affordable ans accessible treatment options.
nic....Big pharma needs to be willing to greatly reduce their profit. Ideally, fully federally funded!
coyn...I agree that pharma essentially charges what the market will pay based on region/nation/culture. Certainly this takes advantage of the US where we have been conditioned to accept companies (insurance, pharma/hospitals) abusing us. However the idea of us paying the same as nations in need is as criminal as the top 1% wanting to pay the same tax rate as lower income. We should pay our fair share for the betterment of the species. This should not be dictated from a single person. This should be addressed by congress and be thoughtful. I've worked with the industry for years and as you know, generics aren't a simple answer. Generic manufacturing is also a gold mine where private companies make a fortune in their own right charging inflated prices. This requires a cultural change management effort where companies are incentivized for R&D without treating society as a cash cow. We need to invest way more in women's health and less in baldness and ED meds.
rgar...We the end users in the USA are making hig pharma rich. The reag problem is the influence of big pharma money through lobbies lining Congress pockets. Trump is doing what Congress should have done long ago.
flem...Subsidizing other countries may be part of it, but big Pharma is notoriously greedy.
mari...the same drugs sold in Europe and Canada are significantly less expensive, with no rationale behind it. I am not a Trump supporter, but these moves are brilliant on his part... even if it goes nowhere
rmac...I’m tired of taking care of the rest of the world!
nslu...Research funding may be impacted We’ve done to the NIH and universities won’t help
desa...In many other countries, like China, the government controls pharmaceutical and medical equipment purchasing. There is no competition between companies and products. The European countries have universal healthcare which limits the drugs available. The US has a system in which the government FDA approves new drugs and sets the drug price for two Government programs, Medicare and Medicaid. Commercial insurance uses a middle man, a Pharmacy Benefit Manager, to negotiate drug prices.
sopa...Trump look like a stupid socialist with this order on price intervention.
mary...Insurance companies have played a major role in drug prices .. that is where government should shift focus
bret...High drug prices exist because they can. It is expensive and risky to create new treatments so it is understandable that companies will aim to make excessive profits off approved drugs. Exclusivity creates the potential for sky high prices. Insurance enables buyers to afford excessive pricing. Healthy people subsidize unhealthy people. The US system potentially allows other countries to pay lower prices but may simply increase profits of pharmaceutical companies.
ayo....Other places are able to leverage their economies of scale to lower prices
mich...Greed is a big part.
zach...It seems to me, it is also caused by the privatized health insurance industry, which incentivizes pharma companies to individually negotiate the highest prices possible to be able to game the insurance market for the highest incomes.
etw8...Please publish reputable fact-checked data that supports US pharma companies are actively engaging in unfair global pricing.
utte...Middlemen, hospitals, PBMs, insurers- often increase drug prices 30 percent along the way
kran...Innovative pharmaceutical development is tricky. Dependent on biology, chemistry, clinical results, diligence of colleague teams, FDA approval, many factors. Please permit pharma companies to solve own issues.
cutt...While it's true that drug prices are lower OUS, this is largely due to governmental structures that those countries have implemented. So Trump's argument that pharma should raise prices overseas and lower them here doesn't make sense. pharma wont be able to raise overseas, and so if they lower prices in US, they will have to cut costs, either R&D or opex.
mirc...US companies charge high prices because the system allows it. Profitability is huge, and executives' salaries are insanely high. So it is not charity to support the rest of the world. If that were the case, the US should subsidize its own population, as 30% of Americans do not have any coverage.

How do you feel about the proposed tax bill ?


  • 67% Negative
  • 33% Positive

EmailComments
huns...on the surface seems to increase debt which is a major issue for the country.
jmbe...The goal here is to help Trump top his own record (from his first term) of increasing the national debt by far more than any previous President achieved. And this all out war by Trump and his MAGA groupies against our finest institutions of higher learning? Sheer madness!
chri...More debt is not sustainable.
wgar...Too much spending that continues to drive the deficit
lesl...So beneficial to the wealthy it just drips gold.
gary...The wealthy need to pay their fair share. Care for those less fortunate!
tcp1...While cutting the DOE and allowing tax breaks for private schooling, only increases divides of the haves and have nots. Same is true for Medicare funding.
zack...36 trillion dollars in debt
pete...Takes on far too much additional debt and harms the poorest members of society whilst benefitting the richest.
remi...I didn’t see the the parts about cuts to medicaid affecting 7.7 million people
lass...No need for tax breaks for rich.
atli...The solution to tax inequity is to tax billionaires out of existence
robs...See Arthur Lafffer on You Tube, or read "Taxes Have Consequences." Historically without fail, in the 1920s, 1960's, 1980's and 2010's record numbers of U.S. citizens were lifted out of poverty and more middle class U.S. Citizens were made wealthier than ever when taxes for the highest tax bracket were lowered. Correct! Lowered! The federal government also experienced record growth in tax revenue each time as the optimal number of the wealthiest people discontinue searching for tax write-offs & legal loop-holes, and the related optimal economic growth is the only way we will ever pay down the National Debt. There is no other way. But don't believe me. See world renowned Economist, Arthur Laffer!
tomp...Taxes on not for profit University Endowments seems egregious. If you want to target certain Universities then do it. It will cause increases in tuition rates. Also what happened to no tax on Social Security. Could you not provide some relief to those paying tax on 80% of Social Security. After all you just gave highe benefits to some who never paid into the program.
jenn...For months the Republicans and Trump have lied about where they were getting the money to continue the 2017 tax breaks for the ultra wealthy. There is never a way to talk since into certain people. I'm so tempted to shout I told you so from the roof tops!
rzip...If the Republicans are really serious about the national debt, the answer is not to reduce revenues by extending tax cuts. Cutting federal expenses like Medicaid needed by needy Americans and reducing the efficiency of the federal agencies through firings (Fifth Risk, loss of expertise) does not benefit the average American and is questionable about the actual savings.
geof...I don’t trust anything that Trump wants to do. He has zero credibility with me.
blup...If you voted "positive" you really need to look into what's going on
cica...I’m working class. I’m a tradesmen.. and I’m going to get screwed. Frankly, we’re all gonna get screwed by this deal. But the billionaires will get even more money that they don’t know what to do with.
lvca...It’s obvious what needs to happen - taxing the wealthiest individuals in this country is tantamount to reducing the deficit. They need to “just do it”. And ensuring the neediest individuals get health care is so obvious, it’s ridiculous we even have to remind Congress and this administration.
akyg...Make the wealthy pay their fair share. As a member of the Middle Class, I am tired of paying proportionally more taxes than the wealthy.
rich...Big strides to keep growth momentum and strengthens a focus on improving our dire debt problem stemming from unaffordable entitlement design.
nanc...In what universe is it right to give billionaires a tax break and fund it by taking it away from the sick, poor, disabled, and elderly?
trag...While I would personally benefit from some of these tax breaks I really oppose the dramatically increased University endowment tax. I get that Trump and his MAGA s don’t value higher education but I should think we as a country should take pride in having a wide range of universities, some of which are top notch or flagships. We should be proud of the research conducted in those universities, many of which will benefit us directly. More so, I am tired of this vendetta against the Ivy League universities ( and other institutions and people who Trump dislikes). A president should govern to benefit an entire country, not to serve as a platform for his personal vendettas. It needs to stop.
engl...During trumps first presidency, he added more than 25% to the national debt. He is enriching himself while bankrupting g the country
gibl...Tax breaks for the middle class, Social Security overtime and tips. And Trump‘s first administration they anticipated and increased to the debt of 1.5 billion but the increased revenue to the government erase that I expect that this will be very similar.
lkdn...Cut services and help the rich. Medicaid pays for 40 percent of births and prenatal care. 30-40% of pediatric care and nursing homes. Emergency rooms are used for primary care. We need universal Medicare like almost all other developed countries.
msyk...We can’t afford another $4 Trillion in debt. So much for “small government “ conservatives. These are just right wing socialists running the country now.
carl...They are idiots.
douc...Cutting healthcare for the most vulnerable to benefit the wealthiest is a sin.
rgar...What are the Medicare cuts. Theft, fraud, overpayment, benefits for illegals? Let's cut all of that so the people who need and depend on it gets it.
marc...I think the plan is solid. The issue is calling out cuts to Medicaid. Stopping people who are fraudulently collecting funds, fighting fraudulent from doctors, and making changes that benefit the people who really need this program should not be called cuts. They should be called common sense and a good practice.
fcse...We don’t need lower taxes. We need services and we need to pay for them. The ultra wealthy should pay more but everyone should pay something.
sjoe...4 trillion in more debt!
geor...Of course they pull funds from the poor among us so they can give billionaires more billons! When is enough ever enough? This need for greed is a real sickness that will impact those most unable to protest. All this while our leaders profess to be following Judeo Christian beliefs. How does any of this meet what Jesus expects of us clearly stated in Matthew 25?
fern...No tax relief needed for wealthy.
jamf...Unfortunately, the Media pushed negative "Project 2025" fears, as they are allowed to do, on the American people-so they don't know the benefits of passing this Bill
azst...Trump is a grifter pulling off the biggest con on American Tax payers
bret...There are some positive aspects but the depth of changes could create significant hardships. Additionally, adding to deficits should be unacceptable.
gree...A HUGE increase in the national deficit and increase in interest payments on the debt. It is petty and demonstrates bad priorities to tax university endowments. That is our insurance for the future.
sall...We need to raise more revenue, not increase the debt.
flem...Republican billionaire greed.
bret...Rewards the wealthy
lora...The only way we are going to stop the corruption of the Democrats is to lower taxes and then lower costs by getting rid of several government agencies who do nothing but launder money to the Democrats.

Do you think that President Trump's trade policies have had a more positive or negative impact on the U.S. economy overall?


  • 69% Negative impact
  • 31% Positive impact

EmailComments
mary...Trumps economic plan was chosen by bevis or butthead Trump picking a book on amazon on tariffs …. Clueless; all of them. They are there to destroy our economy and country while brokering monetary deals to line their own pockets in plain sight with the worst of the worst murderous evil people on the planet. The whole world is doomed
barb...This really makes me wonder what kind of people read this newsletter. and who writes it.
ncbc...Bad idea
lama...Cascading impact. As foreign goods are hit with tariffs, U.S. companies will transfer cost to consumers and consumers will respond with buying less. Then companies will loose revenue and will react by laying off workers. Stock prices will decrease threatening the savings of retirees. A downward spiral in our economy
jamf...Incredibly positive ! Everyone has come to the table looking to make a deal ! Even China-and Hamas releasing Aden?? All due to the respect they have for Pres. Trump!
wgar...Short-term pain for long-term gain. This adjustment in the global trade imbalances had to happen for us to stop subsidizing the welfare benefits of the EU and other nation state economies
lesl...Uncertainty and Irrationality is always bad for an economy. How the US is preceived is how our monies and investment will be received in the world, right now that's in the negative. 30 percent on China is still NOT good.
geor...It’s basic math! Our government collects the tariffs US companies had to pay for foreign goods. That money goes into our government’s coffers. But because the companies paid so much more for their imports and passed the costs on to US consumers, there are fewer and fewer consumers able to pay the added costs. Companies start laying off employees, companies - especially small ones - go out of business and now we have a recession. A fifth grader can figure this math problem out quite easily - too bad our President can’t!
mary...Please stop referring to these as policies. A policy would require a considered course of action and an overall plan: disciplines that are way beyond Trump’s ability
elli...The administration is all over the place on policy. Just a tactic to have other nations kiss his ring for a reduction in tariffs. Alienating our allies!
tom....Other country’s higher tariffs on US made goods imported to their markets have limited our ability to compete there, while we’ve imported many of their products to our large and open market with lower tariffs that gives them a competitive advantage. This has led to large trade imbalances and creates an artificial ceiling on US made products that we try to export. Trump’s approach to level the playing field may create short term higher prices for US consumers on foreign made goods, until the other countries agree to reduce tariffs on US made products imported to their countries as a quid pro quo. Once the playing field is more balanced there should be opportunities for US companies to grow market shares elsewhere and boost domestic production of various goods.
tcp1...Truly I think his policies are smoke in the wind. He creates chaos and reverses his tough guy stand when things do not pan out. He is not a negotiator only a bully.
cica...Yeah, chaos for the sake of chaos really doesn’t help anything
geof...Higher prices for US consumers.
rgar...Gas down, food prices down, inflation down, taxes will be coming down, deficit with the rest of the world reduced, the markets are rebounding at a steady pace. It's a shame the libs are going to live better in a better world and don't realize it.
zack...It looks like another Dem/MSM narrative is completely falling apart. Orange man bad 😂
bren...Anyone who said these tariffs had a negative impact either haven't seen the results in the last few weeks or they are outright ignoring them.
gibl...it’s interesting. All the good statistics. You just reported him people say it has a negative impact nonsense. Tons of new investment in building factories in America reduction in the deficit increased revenue. How could that possibly be negative?
kphe...No possibility for any proper planning or strategic foresight. Long term reputation of the US will suffer hence the economy will suffer, even though most people don’t care about the long term at all.
kcme...He is doing a great job
kmar...Agreed the immediate impact is negative but the intermediate and long term goal is 100% positive.
trag...His policies on tariffs fluctuate too much and put the US in another adversary position with other countries. Trump loves a cock fight and this appears to be one.
bret...The economy was headed towards empty shelves for Chinese made goods. Trump was forced to negotiate before shortages pushed prices higher and before shipping jobs were cut. Tariff impact had not yet been felt by American consumers. Higher prices should hit in June.
lvca...A negative impact on the economy overall and the mental health of our citizens. He doesn’t have a clue, so his waivering back and forth is making us all crazy - no one can plan for anything.
kold...who knows what his trade policies really are?
lora...Trump will bring back manufacturing to the US which will mean more high paying middle class jobs which will generate growth and lower taxes for all.
carl...He is an idiot
ham3...This is kinda an ambiguous question due that the policies have not had time to undue and shake out yet. We are basically in a corporate turnaround which will likely take @ least a year, if not more, to realize
tere...Chaos theory is ill-suited for economic stability

Are you concerned about the potential job displacement caused by AI agents in the tech industry?


  • 59% Yes, it poses a serious threat to employment.
  • 41% No, it will create new opportunities.

EmailComments
rgar...We are entering a new age. As always some things will change drastically. Some people who can't adapt get left behind and many will Excell.
mrse...Technology marches forward. New opportunities will arise.
atli...A minimum guaranteed income for all from profits made from job displacement would resolve the inevitable increase in income inequality.
lora...AI will generate more jobs not less jobs. This gaslighting by the Democrats about A! costing jobs is them trying to protect their money flowing to them from the corruption of the existing companies and NGO's.
pach...A lot of staff in multiple industries need to upskill.
wgar...It will still require humans to apply the tech/software developments to real world problems and functions
desa...AI can’t possibly understand the nuances of multifaceted human decisions.
bret...Initially AI will create new opportunities but once AI is fully integrated in robots, jobs will dry up faster than new opportunities can be created. Entrepreneurs will be fine but laborers across most industries will be unnecessary. Fully autonomous factories, driverless vehicles, call centers, warehouses, etc.

Do you think that the history of traditional medicine supports the safe use of medicinal mushrooms?


  • 82% Yes, history validates their use
  • 18% No, historical use does not guarantee safety

EmailComments
trag...While history doesn’t guarantee safety I am much in favor of continuing clinical trials and research investigating the use of medicinal mushrooms and other nontraditional medicines
wgar...A much larger study/sample size is needed to validate and reproduce the results of the study. Real clinical trials under controlled protocols need to establish or disprove efficacy. We always seem to give "natural" homeopathic remedies a pass on rigorous scientific review.
lora...history is not long enough. there may be side effects that show up later
jflo...No means no.
eliz...A study of 12 people should only suggest further research and curiosity and not conclusions about taking mushrooms or anything else to reduce symptoms of Parkinsons and Alzheimers. IMO
perm...There is sufficient historical use of mushrooms to support optimism for safe use, but you cannot really guarantee anything.
zach...All ethical options for research should be allowed to be researched to allow progress.

Have you ever experienced migraine headaches?


  • 60% No, never.
  • 31% Yes, occasionally.
  • 9% Yes, frequently.

EmailComments
jamf...I contracted neuropsychiatric covid in 2020. Although I have healed myself-I have chronic PCS from speaking/listening/concentrating
gibl...Experienced migraines almost daily for years. Once I removed foods that contain MSG and all of its secret names approved by the FDA such as hydrolyze protein, autolyzed yeast, east extract, artificial and natural flavor, I almost never get a headache anymore, except when I inadvertently get something like soup at a restaurant that’s full of those ingredients. Read labels, read the FDA site on MSG.