With Benefits Like These…
In the process of not getting prescription drugs to low-income seniors, the Medicare Drug Benefit helps quash programs that actually work:
Some U.S. drug makers are ending programs that provided free or discounted prescriptions to elderly Americans now that pharmaceutical benefits are widely available under the Medicare program—saying government rules are forcing them to back away.
Citing new federal anti-fraud memos advising drug makers to avoid providing inducements to patients to choose their drugs, companies say certain of their assistance programs could be interpreted as a kickback to win loyalty to their prescriptions.
Whole thing here.
Jacob Sullum looked at the benefit's impending fiscal impact here. I called the plan "generational warfare" here.
