Posted on 08/16/2010 6:29:09 PM PDT by GOP_Lady
Yes, it is much cheaper to pay for insulin than a foot amputation or take care of someone that has gone blind. It is also much less expensive to pay for heart medication than to pay for open heart surgery and rehabilitation.
Would I prefer an end to the socialist/communist programs? Absolutely! However, that is never going to happen, so at least steal as little as possible from the taxpayers to cover the unconstitutional promises that have been made.
I've been tracking this for awhile.
Where does the Constitution authorize a national prescription drug plan for seniors, in your opinion?
I never said the Constitution did. What’s your point? Seniors can take it or not but again no one is forcing the Seniors to take it.
I agree with your post.
I would have preferred the government stay out of prescription drugs completely, but am proud of the way GWB and the Repubs handled this, and have been since it passed.
This is one program that has been used to tag GWB and the Repubs as “big spenders” which is just a media driven “big” lie.
Obama and the Dems have shown us what “big spenders” really means.
I think the plan was just so damn confusing that a lot of people gave it a pass.
"Initial projections anticipated more than 43 million beneficiaries by 2009, but actual figures from the Medicare trustees' annual report, released earlier this month, showed just 33.4 million took part last year."
Dittos.
Last night I searched some of my files from an old computer looking for the research I had done on this. Couldn't find it, but IIRC, the Rats were hell bent on instituting a drug benefit package -- a precursor to commie healthcare -- that in no way would use the free market. Instead of letting them push their boondoggle through, President Bush and the republicans seized the issue and created the program we now have. Of course the commies went ahead with their commie healthcare anyway, but at least our side tried.
If I'm not mistaken it is listed right next to the authorization to take over private industry and shaft the shareholders, for Socialist Security, Medicare/caid, progressive income tax, unemployment benefits for life, generational welfare, the RIGHT to murder your child, the RIGHT to "own" a home even if you can't or won't pay for it, the RIGHT to disability payments from the productive citizens, the RIGHT to marry whomever or whatever you deem necessary...
I realize there are many things missing, but I've gotta run!
Medicare, social security, etc. are not for the greater good. They break down the family in the US. They remove the desire for people to have children. But most socialists care about materialism more than the will of God. Being in favor of these entitlement programs is repugnant.
W PING!
Thank you ! Thank you, President Bush.
In these days especially, seniors need
this to survive.
______________________________________________________
From 2008
**********
Medicare Drug Spending Drops $6B
Posted on: Friday, 31 October 2008
###
Excerpt:
U.S. Medicare prescription drug spending fell $6 billion to $44 billion this year due to a widespread use of low-cost generic drugs, the government said.
Another reason is that 2 million fewer participants than originally forecast participate in the program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said.
Some senior citizens decided to keep existing drug coverage, Medicare said. In addition, fewer poor people enrolled than expected.
A benefit to the 32 million participating seniors: Their monthly premium for basic drug coverage was an average $26.70 in 2008 — a third less than forecast, Medicare said.
“The program’s been a success,” David Certner, legislative policy director for the AARP senior advocacy group, told USA Today.
“After the initial confusion at the launch, it started delivering many benefits people need,” he said.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1595923/medicare_drug_spending_drops_6b/index.html
That's what I was going to say. I'm betting that Wal-Mart has had more to do with the drop in drug costs than any other factor. Hubby and I did not opt into Part D because my insurance has a pretty good drug plan. However, since WM started their $4 generic drug cost. We don't even use our insurance drug plan. Most generics are $4 a month. Nobody can beat that and it takes millions of people off the government dole. I half-way seriously say that the government should be run by Wal-Mart. They would do a better job at a cheaper rate. I'm waiting for them to open medical clinics with a fee for service system. Bet they will.
Did you see Post #38?
In the abstract, I agree. However, seniors are forced into Medicare whether they want it or not, a system that did not address prescription drug coverage. They also have no control over the regulatory burden placed on drug manufacturers that increase the costs of new drugs astronomically, drugs that prevent pain and suffering.
As repugnant as it is to you, you should at least acknowledge that the government has a responsibility to help people that they (that's us btw) themselves put in this situation.
The benefits of Part D far outweigh its shortcomings IMHO, and now we know it has done it responsibly and frugally.
It's certainly not something that should be used to beat GWB up with.
One of these things is not like the other. Prescription drug prices have been affected by the enormous pricing pressure brought by Wal-Mart. But there's no Wal-Mart for medical specialties. It's medical specialties will be devastated by Obamacare.
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