The Greatest Generation vs. Big Drug Companies
Who do you think deserves to benefit?
This is what happens when you let Republicans pass a bill that caters to big drug companies instead of America's seniors.
Columbia resident Mary Ann Anderson, 81, was caught by surprise even though she had carefully reviewed the plans. She knew she had to choose wisely given the long list of medications she is taking after having double bypass surgery in December."It was a huge success," she said of the operation. "But not having the drugs could kill me."
This month, Anderson went to the store to pick up three refills. With her coverage, the bill had been about $125 a month. Suddenly, it had more than doubled.
"You hit the limit," the pharmacist told her.
"What do you mean?" she asked, bewildered.
She quickly learned. She also learned that the $14,952 she nets from Social Security annually made her ineligible for many assistance programs, including those offered by pharmaceutical companies. She spent five days on the phone trying to find alternatives, taking detailed notes of each conversation. She contacted elected officials, federal and state, and Howard County's Office on Aging. She asked her cardiologist for samples.
Anderson is managing for the moment, thanks in part to two drug vouchers her doctor supplied and a discount card she obtained through the county. Yet she worries. Unless she can switch to a plan without a gap -- and afford its higher premiums -- she'll face the same math all over again Jan. 1.
"I'm just one of many," she said.
Campaign for America's Future has the facts:
- Nearly 7 million Americans will fall into the doughnut hole this year.
- Seniors hit with a coverage gap like the doughnut hole are 22% more likely to die than seniors who aren't forced to pay the sort of out-of-pocket expenses required by Part D.
- More than half of the seniors who fall into the doughnut hole each year will never get out, since they cannot afford the expenses necessary to resume their benefits.
- The doughnut hole will increase Medicare's costs by causing additional emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
- Allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices would save enough money to eliminate the doughnut hole entirely with no extra cost to the taxpayer.
That last one is really the most egregious to me. Medicare is not allowed to negotiate with drug companies under this bill - it's illegal. That's right - while big companies like Walmart can get a deal on perscription drugs, the government can't.
Democrats have a "Perscription for Change", which calls for Medicare to negociate for lower prices and:
- Affordability: Reduce the cost of prescription drugs;
- Simplicity: Allow individuals to choose a plan administered directly through Medicare; and
- Reliability: Provide uninterrupted access to prescription drugs.
More information on how huge of a give-away this is to Republican special interests, here.
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