I'm confused. Shouldn't the doctors be required to switch their patients off brand name drugs, including Lipitor, and onto generics?

There is zero, nada, zilch difference between generic brands and name brands. This is true in prescription medicine and over-the-counter medicine (not to mention many household products)

The insurance companies want the patient to have the lower cost drug. It is the *exact same* drug so the patient's best interest is being taken care of.

The only thing a ruling like this does is put more money into the pockets of the drug companies. I guess their bribery exceeded that of the insurance companies.

There are actually slight differences between the brand names and generics, they have the same active ingredient but the formulation is different. This means there may differences in the pharmacokinetics (Absorbtion, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion) of the drug i.e. how it absorbed and spread through the body. Most probably only slight differences, but they can be enough to be significant.
Anyway, I think the problem was that the doctors were being PAID to switch the patient's medication to generics.

The AMA is cracking down on bribery by the generic drug manufacturers? I'm cool with that.

Now, will someone please make me happy and link to a story where they crack down on bribery by the brand name drug manufacturers?

As for generics, I couldn't afford half the medications prescribed to my family without them. The few drugs I can't find generic alternatives for really hurt my pocket book. Example: One brand name migraine pill costs over $25. One friggin' pill! That's sick.

(edit: Correction -- One pill costs $25, not $40.)

It is sick. Taking advantage of something someone needs. I don't mind generic. it serves it's purpose. I buy no name stuff whenever I can. Now there are certain things I will not budge on...diet coke, peanut butter....okay...I am derailing....ummm back on topic! They used to ask (at the pharmacy) if you wanted one or the other. My insurance will just automatically do the generic...unless there isn't one.