Not only no, but hell no. Not with my tax dollars!
I’m all for an active fullfilling sex life no matter the age bracket. Really, ask my wife. But there comes a time. And that time is now, I’m throwing the coitus interruptus flag at this nonsense.The federal government will spend nearly $2 billion in the next decade on male impotence drugs under its Medicare program, according to a new cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office that is fueling some lawmakers’ efforts to end that spending.
If anyone thinks pouring $2B down a rat hole [was that an intended pun? Nevermind] labeled Viagra is good fiscal responsilbility they’re nuts with a capital “N"! And it seems I’m not alone. Rep. Steve King, of Iowa - who released the cost figures - is sponsoring a bill to prohibit most erectile dysfunction drug sales under Medicare. Rep. King’s bill has already spawned it’s first detractor in the name of Jeff Trewhitt:
“Products that treat erectile dysfunction are part of the overall treatment of patients. Medicare and Medicaid patients should not be like second-class citizens when their diseases are treated,” he said.
He would say that, his vested interest as a spokesman for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America would dictate that. Sorry pal, heart disease, arthritis, strokes, alzhiemers and any one of a hundred other maladies that effect seniors take precidence before GrandPa Earl’s ability to pack his pickle. So shut up, your just looking to suckle the last drop from a cash cow!
Mr. King said he wants more sponsors before calling for hearings.
“We’ve got to beat this drum and get more people to sign on. You would think this would be the easiest bill in Congress to pass,” he said. “If we can’t pass this legislation and Medicare moves forward and funds recreational sex drugs for seniors, then what couldn’t we fund with the taxpayers’ dollars?”
Answer: We could fund almost anything. But it damm sure makes it harder to fund border security, alternitive fuel technology etc, etc.
Then there is the legal angle, what if the government gets involved in a lawsuit alleging “negligent sexual intercourse as a result of GrandPa Earls’s federally funded fun?” I’m just sayin’ is all.
Cross posted within the Cranial Cavity
I guess we have different views on this one. I actually feel pretty good about my tax dollars going to help some old people have a good time. Now, I don’t know how much Viagra costs, so if it’s really expensive I might change that opinion.
I only wish the GOP hadn’t barred the government from negotiating aggressively for volume discounts on Medicare prescription drugs. That’ll be one of the first things changed when the Democrats come to power again.
Comment by Ethical Werewolf — 17 May, 2005 @ 20:24