Medicine Information

Prescription Drug Benefit Cost Understated by $324 Billion!


When the legislation was passed for Bush's prescription drug benefit in 2003, costs were said to be approximately $400 billion over the next decade. In great contradiction with this estimate, the centers for Medicaid and Medicare have admitted that costs will actually be around $724 billion.

Considering the Bush administration's history of saying one thing and doing another, this understatement of cost comes at no surprise. The supposedly helpful benefit will, in most cases, only provide savings for people on the lowest income level; while those on mid-level incomes who spend between $2250 and $5100 on medications will pay at least a $37/month premium and a $250 deductible, with no additional savings.

The plan was designed with a "hole" in its coverage, so that people spending between $2250 and $5100 on medications each year will receive no additional compensation or savings: They are still saving just $1500. After the $5100 line is crossed, Medicare compensates patients for 95% of their spending on drugs.

Besides the "hole" in prescription drug coverage, this plan offers far fewer benefits than those of many private employers. As a result, those employers could easily lower their standards.

I don't claim to know much at all about this administration's prescription drug benefit plan, but as a normal citizen just like yourself, I am not pleased with what I see.

Ian Mason of Shoppe.MD Online Pharmacy


MORE RESOURCES:

Fox News

Intense shelling from Syrian forces trouble food, medicine supplies, activists say
Fox News
The intense shelling in restive neighborhoods such as Baba Amr has made it difficult to get medicine and care to the wounded, and some areas have been without electricity for days, activists say. "Snipers are on all the roofs in Baba Amr, ...
Syria accused of using medicine as 'weapon of war'ABC Online
Homs' residents plea for help as food and medicine run lowThe Observers
“We're hungry, we're cold and we're forced to scavenge for food”, says Homs ...FRANCE 24

all 5,906 news articles »


MedPage Today

Defensive Orthopedic Medicine Creates Enormous Additional Costs
Medical News Today
According to an estimate by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, orthopedic surgeons generate around $2 billion each year in additional health care costs linked to orthopedic care, as a result practicing defensive medicine (ordering ...
In orthopedic surgery, defensive medicine takes a $2 billion tollDOTmed.com
Orthopedists Say Tab for Defensive Medicine Is 'Billions'MedPage Today
Fear of Lawsuits Influences Care From Most Orthopedic Surgeons: SurveyU.S. News & World Report

all 9 news articles »


Washington Times

Obamacare and government intrusion into the practice of medicine; why ...
Washington Times
In addition, through the creation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), which will act like 'mini-HMOs' to micro-manage the practice of medicine community by community across America, pressures have mounted to reign in costs through the rationing ...
Some physicians do not agree with, uphold standards on communication with patientsEurekAlert (press release)

all 316 news articles »


Integrative medicine: Trying these may help avoid doctor
Sacramento Bee
If you are taking prescription medications, please talk with your doctor before starting any over-the-counter products, as supplements can sometimes interfere with or affect the metabolism of prescription medicines. And of course, if you try some of ...

and more »


Nutritional Medicine for Adults Workshop Series at Rush University Medical Center
Newswise (press release)
Newswise — CHICAGO — Rush University Medical Center is sponsoring a Nutritional Medicine workshop March 15 to 16, 2012, that features internationally-renowned faculty who are leaders in research in nutritional medicine. The workshop is part of a ...

and more »


Sydney Morning Herald

Bad medicine: Fairfax online poll becomes alternative health battleground
Sydney Morning Herald
Late last month the Herald reported on a lobby group of more than 400 doctors, medical researchers and scientists - dubbed Friends of Science in Medicine - that is pressuring universities to close down alternative medicine degrees, ...

and more »


PR Web

The true fountain of youth
Grand Junction Free Press
I often reply to such comments with bits of wisdom that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has provided for me throughout my training. My words are usually met with a silent moment of pondering and consideration. However, sometimes a client will remark ...
Acupuncture for Children? San Francisco Chinese Medicine College Now Offers ...San Francisco Chronicle (press release)

all 5 news articles »


College of Medicine accreditation leaves some faculty members unhappy with process
Central Michigan Life
Dean of the College of Medicine Ernest Yoder talks briefly to the Board of Trustees about the College's latest progress in the President's Conference Room in the Bovee University Center. (Photo by Kaitlin Thoresen/Staff Photographer) The College of ...

and more »


Society of Critical Care Medicine Conference in Houston Has 3 Research Studies ...
MarketWatch (press release)
NEW YORK, NY, Feb 10, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- The annual Society of Critical Care Medicine Conference, attended by over 1000 participants, was held in Houston, Texas from February 2 - 8, 2012. There were three research studies presented which ...

and more »


Banned drugs vanish from medicine shops
Times of India
Sambalpur: Cough syrups and medicines with alcohol content were surprisingly off the shelves as medicine vendors did not want to indulge in any controversy by selling such medicines, following raids conducted by police, excise and drug departments in ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map | Dr. Thad Thomas
© 2006