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.
