Summary
Government officials confirmed that Viagra would be covered under the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, which takes effect in 2006. In a nation where we're trying to teach abstinence to young adults, taxpayers are now footing the bill for sex-enhancing drugs for grandpa.
Original source:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7502411
Details
Viagra, the blockbuster impotence drug, will be paid for under Medicare's new prescription drug coverage, officials said on Tuesday.
A new prescription drug coverage law that takes effect next year means the government health insurance plan for the elderly must offer to help pay for medically necessary drugs, the officials said.
That would include sildenafil, sold by Pfizer under the brand name Viagra, and other erectile dysfunction drugs.
"If it's an illness then Medicare can cover it," a Health and Human Services spokesman said.
Karr said the "medically necessary" part is important.
"These kind of drugs are going to have a very minor impact on the drug benefit," he said.
"These particular drugs are sometimes prescribed because another medical condition makes it necessary -- if there is a vascular problem, that sort of thing," Karr added.
Citizens Against Government Waste criticized the move.
About the author: Mike Adams is a consumer health advocate and award-winning journalist with a strong interest in personal health, the environment and the power of nature to help us all heal He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, and he has published numerous courses on preparedness and survival, including financial preparedness, emergency food supplies, urban survival and tactical self-defense. Adams is an honest, independent journalist and accepts no money or commissions on the third-party products he writes about or the companies he promotes. In 2010, Adams created TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural living video sharing site featuring thousands of user videos on foods, fitness, green living and more. He also founded an environmentally-friendly online retailer called BetterLifeGoods.com that uses retail profits to help support consumer advocacy programs. He's also a noted pioneer in the email marketing software industry, having been the first to launch an HTML email newsletter technology that has grown to become a standard in the industry. Adams volunteers his time to serve as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author a large number of health books offered by Truth Publishing and is the creator of numerous reference website including NaturalPedia.com and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. His websites also include the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the innate healing ability of the human body. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Email this article to a friend
Share
this article on: 
Now Available from 
