What’s “up” doc? Hard times for Medicare

According to news reports, including Bloomberg:

Medicare Illegally Paid For Seniors’ Viagra, U.S. Audit Says

The U.S. Medicare program improperly spent more than $3 million in 2007 and 2008 to buy Pfizer Inc.’s Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs for senior citizens, government investigators said.

If appropriate spending by Medicare gets a rise out of you, this one should do it. 

Many employer plans cover ED drugs, mostly because if they didn’t someone would be complaining that they cover birth control drugs for women so why not give men a chance too.  Of course women demand coverage of contraceptives if there is even a hint of coverage of ED drugs for men.  Logically though one would think that if you did not cover the ED drug, there would be less of a need for the birth control drug.  Never mind, this is getting too technical.

Here is a thought for all those who think health insurance is too costly, lifestyle drugs such as those mentioned should not be covered by any health plan and neither should such things as a vasectomy.  They are not insurable risks, they are choices that if you want to make you should pay for.

Please don’t give this blog URL to Planned Parenthood.