Why is the "government" prescription drug plan raising it's rates???
929232
You should be sure to thank your Republican Congressmen and President Bush.  Pharmaceutical Companies wrote the new prescription drug bill for Medicare and the Republican Congress passed it on straight party line votes and the President signed it.\n\nIncluded in the legislation is a restriction that precludes Medicare from using its large volume purchasing clout to negotiate drug prices.  It's a gravy program for Corporations delivered by the Republicans.  They love market forces as long as consumers have no bargaining power.
290873
Haha! I think it's what the marketing departments of those "wonder" pills want us to believe just to increase their sales.  That's why they always say reeeeally fast, "These statements are not proved by the FDA." That's also why the small,white, hard-to-read print onscreen says "Results not typical." After all the hype they say of 'eat what you want and still lose weight', they will add as an afterthought, "All diet plans require a doctor's approval and an exercise program." But nobody hears that part because they're too busy dialing the 800 number to place an order...as they lay on the couch with a bowl of ice cream in their lap.
416061
works great , before there was no medicare drug plan at all.  why getting your drugs for 10 to 30 dollars is a bad thing is beyond me to people.\n\nMy mother has it and it is saving her thousands of dollars a year.
322905
well since there is a new drug coverage,my husband also qualified for the financial subsidary.i guess it may differ,each state,and plan,but he only has to pay $2.oo for genericand $5.00 for name brand,no higher than $5.00.also he doesnt have to pay any deductables.i would check with medicare and see if you qualify for assistance.they can tell you more.good luck =)
184875
Dear MissTexas, I believe that Medicaid expenditures may have changed mainly due to the rises in the cost of living, the medical profession and pharmacology.\nOther changes that may be experienced could be attributable to the outsourcing of benefits. \nThis has a tendency to curtail many local economies and their respective tax base and this is certainly an unexpected exppenditure upon our local governments/ states/ counties/ cities/ hospital districts/ school districts.\nAnd now to face an increase in property taxes just because we have 'outsourced' our workforce. Gees, Miss, I do believe that expenditures by medicaid's administrators have changed the solvent face of medicaid.  Jose
479833
The Fed is still raising rates.  The country is at war (always creates inflation).  Unemployment is low and the economy is booming.\n\nRates will go up.
143235
There are millions of Americans with health problems. Not just smokers and the obese. Our rates are going to go up regardless. The problem isn't about who gets the healthcare. The problem is with how the government handles the whole situation. And with Bush in office, you can bet that it's not getting any better. Insted of pointing the finger at the people using the healthcare (including yourself), vote in the next election...
285415
The official line from the pharmaceuticals is that they need to recover costs involved in pharmaceutical research. Many consumer groups, however, contest this and say the profits are way out of line.\n\nbtw Suffice it to say that there is also something known as natural or alternative medicine; some have had positive results. You can find plenty of info pro and con. (Obviously I am talking about some specific prescription drugs, not prescription medications in general.)  Of course only an MD is qualified to prescribe and oversee prescription medications.\n\n1 min. ago--some of these especially the newer ones are marketed rather aggressively--ads on prime time tv & 2 pg ads in magazines like Time & Newsweek--you can imagine the advertising budgets--they always say ask your doctor about such & such--as a result people see their physician to inquire about such & such a drug, sometimes putting the physician in a difficult position (like they have already made up their minds that this med is right for them)
13474
The rule is that your aunt's social security check cannot be reduced on a net basis from the prior year, but if her social security increase is greater than the increase in the medicare premium, then her medicare premium can be increased.  The problem lately has been that medical inflation has exceeded the inflation in ordinary prices.  It is likely that she is fixed in income for the rest of her life given the disparity between medical inflation and consumer inflation on which social security is based.  I doubt she will see a net pay increase ever again, based upon the numbers and barring real health care reform.\n\nWhile that looks like a lot, although I am just guestimating, I have recently reviewed employee health coverages.  I suspect the average 82 year old should be paying a monthly premium well in excess of $500 per month.  Her health care costs are being heavily subsidized by workers, taxpayers and future taxpayers.  It sounds like an enormous amount, but it is well below her cost to the system unless she is in very good health.  Medicare is an insurance policy just like any other, except that the beneficiaries do not always have to pay their full share of the premium.
158413
no where I know of places can't sell it without a prescription it is addictive and many people sell it like street drugs when they have it so it's a drug that requires prescription. Trying finding a free clinic or reduced cost clinic in your area most places have them for people and charge based on income.
1181629
It is because of Greed plain and simple.\n\nThe Pharmaceutical has lots of money. \nOur Presidents are elected usually much by how much campaigning they do. The Pharmaceutical and Others like Exxon(oil) give a lot of money to their campaigns. So they are left alone. They don't bite the hand that gets them elected or who keeps them there. If we had a different way for the government to campaign without depending on these resources(like taxes)-maybe they would take action against them. But now most owe them favors.\n This is one reason we are one of the few who don't have Nation health. I think there is only 3 countries now who don't and we are one.\n And no there isn't a program for all-that is a myth that some believe. those who have major problems know.\n What can you do--always support Nation Health-yes more taxes-many countries pay it and survive (other myth-those other countries are bankrupt-some are but not just because of this). And not one of those countries do the majority of people want to cancel that benefit.
1024056
the FDA, the senators, and the doctors who work with the FDA profit from this. the FDA sold out a long time ago but now i'm actually starting to see change there. major news networks are actually doing stories on certain drugs and their harmful effects with out plugging some other drug at the same time. this wouldn't have happened even a year ago.
519956
I think u make a really good point! All kinds of Doctors are in bed with the drug industry! \n\nI am not sure how that makes psychiatry evil but i think they should lower their rates so the people that really need their help can afford it if they are making BIG BUCKS from the drug industry! It is a shame that they would take kick backs to prescribe a drug u might not need! \n\nDr Phil is a mean spirited entertainer. I know he us supposed to be a psychologist but i seen him call a mother stupid because her son was overeating! I think he is obnoxious!
346189
higher prices for recreational drugs and higher profits for importers.
470034
Yeah... it's getting to the point where the majority of America won't be able to go to the doctor, because they can't afford insurance or the deductable, if they have insurance. \n\nI think it all comes down to... how much are you willing to pay to stay alive.. the answer is anything, so how does a capitolistic system work when you will pay anything for the service... it doesn't work... \n\nthe healthcare companies (both medical, insurance, both malpractice and health, and perscription companies) are all making huge profits... if you know anyone in the business, they are probably making more than most everyone else you know...\n\nWhen does the bubble bust... I think it will soon... especially if costs continue to go up like they have been.
447376
The "War on Drugs" is the name for the actual "War on Untaxable Profit & Capital Gains."\n\nThe reason drug compaines have started reporting record profits is due the recent lifing of a ban on advertising on television.  Now prescription drugs can be advertised anywhere and in any form of media.  People are actually walking into their doctor's office and asking for a specific brand of medication, they may not even need.\n\nDoctors get incentives (money) to prescribe certain brands of medication over other brands, and it is all perfectly legal.\n\nSo the answer to your question would be:  The Doctor's Office
513124
Yes it is. They don't know whether your prescription is true or false. While they have unscrupulous doctors who write prescriptions for them you pay much more than you would at the chemist. At worst, they put you on a "sucker list" to receive spam between now and forever and you don't get your pills. Either way, you are better off seeing your pharmacist.