Since it looks like we’re going to spend $700 billion to bailout Wall Street, how about eliminating the Medicare drug coverage gap? I know, we can’t afford it.
But the gap is causing pain for seniors. A new study from Medco Health Solutions says, “Seniors battling high cholesterol are more likely to stop taking their medications once they reach the Medicare Coverage Gap, a result that may put them at higher risk for heart attack and stroke.”
That can’t be what we mean when we talk about improving the quality, cost and efficiency of the U.S. healthcare system. I’ve called for the elimination of the gap before (see article). And frankly I’m amazed the issue hasn’t gotten more attention, along with the issue of allowing the government to negotiate directly with drug companies for lower prices.
My line above—”I know, we can’t afford it”—is only partly ironic. All this stuff costs money, and the bills are piling up for the U.S. government (read: taxpayer). But how do you look a senior straight in the face and say you can’t have those cholesterol meds you need and then turn around and give Wall Street what amounts to a blank check?
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