Another letter in support of full public financing of campaigns in New York in today's Ithaca Journal. This one, by Christine Niskanen focuses on health care and the way debate about making health care more affordable and accessible has been corrupted by the campaign donations happening behind the scenes.

From Niskanen's letter:

We all know health insurance is skyrocketing — up 79 percent since 2001 — while insurers cut benefits. And we know that drug prices are so high many must go without vitally needed medicines. Why can't our legislators in Albany do something to protect us from these predatory practices? The simple answer: campaign cash.


In 2006, health insurers donated $184,435 to state legislators while drug companies spread $425,650 around. And their lobbyists made sure they could keep raising prices without oversight or regulation.