Mike Ross's Lucrative Deal With Large Pharmacy Chain

The Politico is reporting that Mike Ross sold his pharmacy business in 2007, while a member of congress. USA Drug, a large pharmacy chain with an important stake in health care reform, overpaid for the property by roughly $160,000.

Ross sold Holly’s Health Mart in Prescott, Ark., to USA Drug for $420,000 — an eye-popping price for real estate in a tiny train and lumber town about 100 miles southwest of Little Rock.

“You can buy half the town for $420,000,” said Adam Guthrie, chairman of the county Board of Equalization and the only licensed real estate appraiser in Prescott.

Mike Ross is the Chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition's task force on health care. He was the lead Blue Dog negotiator in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He held up the bill in committee for two weeks. NPR reports that,

So far this year, the Blue Dogs' political action committee has received $301,500 from health care and health insurance PACs. Ross, the coalition's lead negotiator, has received $100,600 for his campaign committee and a PAC that he operates.

Mike Ross now opposes the public option despite the fact that a plurality of his district favors the public option.