<P> On June 30, 2006, an FDA ruling went into effect extending protection from lawsuits to pharmaceutical manufacturers, even if it was found that they submitted fraudulent clinical trial data to the FDA in their quest for approval . This left consumers who experience serious health consequences from drug use with little recourse . In 2007, the House of Representatives expressed opposition to the FDA ruling, but the Senate took no action . On March 4, 2009, an important U.S. Supreme Court decision was handed down . In Wyeth v. Levine, the court asserted that state - level rights of action could not be pre-empted by federal immunity and could provide "appropriate relief for injured consumers ." In June 2009, under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius signed an order extending protection to vaccine makers and federal officials from prosecution during a declared health emergency related to the administration of the swine flu vaccine . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article appears to contradict the article Prescription drug prices in the United States . Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page . (October 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article appears to contradict the article Prescription drug prices in the United States . Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page . (October 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> During the 1990s, the price of prescription drugs became a major issue in American politics as the prices of many new drugs increased exponentially, and many citizens discovered that neither the government nor their insurer would cover the cost of such drugs . Per capita, the U.S. spends more on pharmaceuticals than any other country, although expenditures on pharmaceuticals accounts for a smaller share (13%) of total health care costs compared to an OECD average of 18% (2003 figures). Some 25% of out - of - pocket spending by individuals is for prescription drugs . </P>

Who pays for healthcare in the united states