[Cogadh na Sith]

So, is Medicare going to pick up the tab for a second opinion?

I recall an adage about a dearth of choosing going hand in hand with begging.... How does that go again?

[Miss Marple]

All I am saying is that it is impossible to discuss this if people don't understand how Medicare works or the costs involved. Saying that seniors should pay for their own drugs (without considering those seniors who are on very small incomes) or saying that seniors with large prescription bills should get a second opinion (without understanding how difficult that is for someone on Medicare) is easy enough. The fact is, that we have a lot of people in this country who are unable to work due to their age and need medicines to survive, and have no income other than pensions and social security.

My parents HAD prescription coverage (my mother had it because she was a retired teacher) but their bills were STILL upwards of $500/month.

So, if you want to make an argument about constitutionality I am willing to consider it. (Of course, I would prefer to push removing other unconstitutional programs first, like NPR.) But I am not willing to concede that this program isn't needed in some fashion or other by a great many elderly.