Originally published April 26 2005
Legislation may be passed to prevent Medicare from covering impotence drugs
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
When the new Medicare prescription drug program starts next year, impotence drugs such as Viagra may no longer be covered under Medicare. Rep. Steve King of Iowa feels that impotence drugs are used for recreational purposes, and should not be covered by taxpayers’ money. However, prostate cancer survivors such as Ralph Valle of Arizona claims that because impotence is often caused by prostate cancer and diabetes, remedies like Viagra should be made available through Medicare as part of the treatment. King replies that it would be impossible to make exceptions for those taking Viagra for medical reasons because "not all doctors would follow the rules."
To Rep. Steve King of Iowa, impotence drugs like Viagra are for recreation and should not be paid for by taxpayers when the new Medicare prescription drug program starts next year.
But to advocates for the disabled and prostate cancer survivors, impotence drugs can help make impaired men whole again, save intimate relationships and reduce depression.
Citing the medication's high cost -- as much as $10 per pill -- King has introduced legislation that would prohibit Medicare from covering drugs like Viagra, Levitra and Cialis that treat sexual dysfunction.
The impotence bill is one of nearly a dozen proposals to trim costs of the prescription drug program even before it begins.
Last year, American men spent $1.4 billion on erectile dysfunction drugs, according to IMS Health, a company that tracks drug sales.
"That's something a person can pay out of their own budget.
For example, it will pay for breast reconstruction surgery if a woman loses a breast to cancer.
Impotence is often caused by life-threatening diseases like prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis and diabetes.
Sexual dysfunction impairs intimacy and self esteem and can aggravate another frequent side effect of major diseases: depression, said Arney Rosenblatt, spokeswoman for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
"Sexual dysfunction is a serious medical problem and the lack of sex can certainly destroy a relationship," Rosenblatt said.
The cost to Medicare for providing impotence drugs would be a small portion of the overall budget, said Kindra Strupp, spokeswoman for Lilly ICOS LLC, the company that makes the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis.
King said he would not amend his bill to make exceptions for Medicare recipients whose impotence is caused by serious health problems because not all the doctors would follow the rules.
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