LAT/AP: House Blocks Federal Coverage of Viagra

[DeepModem Mom]

House Blocks Federal Coverage of Viagra
By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON -- Impotence drugs such as Viagra would not be covered by Medicaid and Medicare, the government health programs for the poor and the aged, under new prohibitions approved by the House on Friday.

By a 285-121 vote, the House approved an amendment by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, to stop the government from paying for the drugs. King said his amendment would save taxpayers $105 million next year alone.

King had earlier commissioned a budget study that found the government would spend more than $2 billion on such impotence drugs over the next decade. The amount spent would greatly increase as the Medicare prescription program begins next year.

"We don't force taxpayers to pay for face lifts, weight-loss drugs, hair-growth treatment or vacations, so we should not force them to pay for sexual-performance drugs," King said. "Medicare and Medicaid were established to provide lifesaving medication for the truly needy."

The Senate has yet to act on the measure....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/ats-ap_top14jun24,0,2082547.story

[shoelace414]

1. I know how to save 1.5 billion a week.

[Sequoia]

2. Let them practice abstinance

Poor=can't afford kids

Old=get away you old geezer

[Bridget Burke]

3. Viagra is more needed than hair growth treatment.

Yes, it can be used as a "recreational" drug my those who don't need it.

But a healthy sex life is valuable for men & their significant others.

[deacon2]

4. Strategic Maneuver

The GOP fears these Democratic demographic groups "breeding" and/or living longer due to leading more pleasurable lives. It is no longer just a fantasy item, but has become very important for them to stay in power in perpetuity... so as not to be indicted and sent to the prisons they've allowed to degenerate into something out of MIDNIGHT EXPRESS.

[Straight Shooter]

5. "We don't force taxpayers to pay for face lifts, weight-loss drugs ..."

Yeah, but you force us to pay for a war in Iraq that is sucking the very marrow out of our bones.

[Senior citizen]

6. I think California is trying to stop paying for Viagra for

convicted sex offenders. But I think federal law preempts state law regarding drugs, so unless the feds do it, I'm not sure if California can.

[Rosco T.]

7. Know what happens when Republicans take Viagra???

They get taller.

[Orangepeel]

8. what about people who take it for pulmonary hypertension?

which is what Viagra was developed for. I hope there is an exception for non-recreational uses of the drug.

[Orangepeel]

9. BTW, that's the wrong link

It goes to a story on the St. Louis explosion.

The correct link is here:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B07A0A1C2-3CB2-454F-92CA-BDFADF692093%7D&siteid=google

[DeepModem Mom]

10. THANK YOU FOR WORKING LINK -- Cannot find story at LA Times now...

at all. I'm pretty sure the link worked when posted -- so sorry.

[Orangepeel]

13. You are welcome. I've done that before

sometimes the link is to a "latest breaking news" page that changes. I hate that!

[PATRICK]

11. A question

Does the much vaunted Congressional and Senate health insurance program cover these drugs? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Cobalt Violet]

12. The repug base isn't going to like this!

:rofl: :popcorn: :rofl: :popcorn: :rofl: :popcorn: :rofl: :popcorn: