This set the stage for his interest in wages policy and price regulation.
But so far, Federal health policy seems to emphasize price regulation.
Today he is sponsoring a bill to eliminate those same price regulations.
Such sales will not be subject to congressional price regulation.
The rest of the industry would be freed from most price regulation after about 15 months.
As part of the bargain, the legislation would also free cable television companies from most price regulation.
"Under price regulation, they'll get to keep some of it," he said.
Cable companies had been freed from most price regulations in the 1980's.
Drug companies have to start contributing a bit if they want to avoid price regulation.
That may require very limited and carefully targeted price regulation.