Something I am working on--need feedback please (women's health)

[Horse with no Name]

Regarding activist pharmacists.
"If retail pharmacies make the choice not to fill legal prescriptions that are included in the Medicaid/Insurance company formularies, then said pharmacy is excluded from any third party payments for any medication that it dispenses."

Let's drop the morals out of this thing and put it back on the almighty dollar. They can choose to be moral and run a cash business. I shouldn't be the one who has to bear the burden of paying cash when I have insurance.
I want it to be all or nothing. If the insurance company tells me I can only use certain pharmacies, then that pharmacy should be obligated BY THEIR CONTRACT WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY--without prejudice--to fill ANY prescription drug on the formulary. The insurance companies goals are to have pharmacies in the areas of their consumers. It doesn't do me any good if they refuse to fill certain medications. It HAS to be all or nothing.
As soon as I get this wording out--it's going to NARAL and Planned Parenthood.
I think if the insurance companies are forced to be put in the middle here--it will be a win for the consumer.
What do you all think? Can we get this going as a campaign?

[Shoeempress]

1. Great idea. Go for it

[skids]

2. Good thinking.

Though insurance companies are just as much a part of the corporate
supremecist movement as the rest. But you might be able to get it passed in dem-dominated states. Of course we don't really have that problem here, as far as I know.

[splat@14]

3. Agreed. If pharmacys are allowed to make moral judgments from across

the counter, then application of the same logic should put McDonald's be out of business.

Ask them if they fill RXs for viagra.

[Dragonfli]

4. I love the insurance company angle!

You are very pragmatic and observant in your approach.
I have had to deal with insurance issues allot during my wife's current battle with cancer.
They are definitely the ones with the most power in this game and that angle may very well be the one that reaches the target.

I am sorry that I have nothing substantial to add to your idea, but I am intrigued and willing to help with the effort!
Please keep me posted and let me know if I can do anything.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Then you know exactly how long a chain pharmacy

such as Walgreens or WalMart would last without third party payments.
They wouldn't.
Very few healthcare companies could survive on a cash only basis--especially when competing for insured people's business.
It's the only angle we can go at this fight on.
These pharmacies have contracts with the insurance companies. The insurance companies have contracts with us.
These contracts all deserve to be honored and it's about time we make the case for it.
Best wishes to you wife and her struggles.

[Dragonfli]

6. Thanks, I will relay the message to her

My offer still stands to help in your endeavor. It is the best approach I have heard yet.

This is the last piece of art she created before the Lymphedemia rendered her good arm useless. (with therapy, after the radiation, we expect more art from her)



She is an artist by trade (she used to teach airbrush, then for about 15 years she became a photo restoration specialist.) This cartoon art is a new medium for her and I just Love it. This one in particular inspires me.

[bliss_eternal]

10. Your wife is so talented..

...if it is ok with you, I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers(for her recovery).

[Dragonfli]

12. I don't mind, I welcome it. --

I am gathering prayers and healing energy here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=245&topic_id=10605&mesg_id=10605

[NMMNG]

7. Excellent idea to get the pharmacies by the cajones

Will the insurance conglomerates play ball though?

[Horse with no Name]

8. I honestly don't know

but this is an issue that needs to be taken out of the political arena and put back into a consumer issue.
I just want to diffuse the subject and put it where it belongs.
We've let them take too many non-issues and turn them into wedges and we NEED to stop letting them do it.

[Horse with no Name]

9. This is the letter I sent to NARAL and Planned Parenthood

I wanted to submit my idea of how to take the activist pharmacy role off the table. I would like to see us be able to introduce legislation somewhere along these lines:
"If retail pharmacies make the choice not to fill legal prescriptions that are included in the Medicaid/Insurance company formularies, then said pharmacy is excluded from ANY AND ALL third party payments for ANY AND ALL medication that it dispenses for the consumer."

Let's drop the morals out of this thing and put it back on the almighty dollar. They can choose to be moral and run a cash business. I shouldn't be the one who has to bear the burden of paying cash when I have insurance.
I want it to be all or nothing. If the insurance company tells me I can only use certain pharmacies, then that pharmacy should be obligated BY THEIR CONTRACT WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY--without prejudice--to fill ANY prescription drug on the insurance company formulary. The insurance companies goals are to have pharmacies in the areas of their consumers. It doesn't do me any good if they refuse to fill certain medications. It HAS to be all or nothing. The insurance company BY LAW has to cover birth control pills. If the only pharmacy in rural areas that are insurance company approved refuse to fill it, then it puts the burden on the consumer.
I think if the insurance companies are forced to be put in the middle here--it will be a win for the consumer.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,

[bliss_eternal]

11. Great work and initiative on your part!

I'm proud to know you as a DU member.

Please keep us posted on this, I am willing to help as others have stated above, if and when you need assistance with this.

I find it completely inhumane and unprofessional that pharmacists are allowed to behave this way. Aren't they like doctors? What happened to oaths to serve, etc.?

Wrong, wrong, wrong of them...