Gap in Medicare Drug Coverage Causes Some to Stop Medication

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Kalebarkab of AL 4:47AM June 10, 2009

I think it is an outrage in America that after a citizen gives their entire life promoting good will holding a job doing their public duties they are expected to pay ridiculous prices for medication when they are on limited incomes. You would think that America would take care of their own before going outside of the borders helping other countries. The only choices for some is medicine or food or heat. Still there is not enough money to buy all the drugs they are on. What happens when even that is not enough. To stop taking medication your body requires - isn't that a form of euthenasia? An underhanded way for the government to get rid of the weakest link.

connee of FL 6:59PM November 25, 2008

Is there any other help out there for those who must have the meds but can't pay for them, i.e. diabetics?(Mom in FL)

Mariann of FL 9:52PM October 31, 2008

What a crock this policy is. I'd like to see the fat cats in Washington try to live for a year in my shoes.
I take four medications which have no generic. I do this because other drugs in the same categories do not work as well for the life-threatening condition I suffer from.
One medication is $9 per dose, another is $4, still another is $8, and the last is $7. According to my calculations, that's $28 PER DAY, and doesn't include the generics I take. When the generics do come onto the market, it won't be until 2011-2015.
I hit the doughnut hole in January. I live on $1300/mo. of disability payments, which puts me over the limit for prescription drug assistance from the drug companies. I can't afford to pay my way through the coverage gap, must scrimp on my food budget, and have no Medi-Gap coverage. I'm not eligible for Medi-Cal, either, because I have $4,000 in other assets, and the limit is $2000.
I thank my lucky stars that my doctor is a generous, compassionate man who hoards medication samples for me, likely to the tune of over $10,000/year.
This crap has got to change, and soon.

Nancy Brough of CA 5:49PM September 19, 2008

From what I understand, this program was designed by Karl Rove. Was voted on by congress with gop majority. All costs are based on drug companies list prices. Which leaves a lot of fat for insurance companies, discount drug stores, mail away pharmacies and drug companies. This will help all of the above and help deplete medicare money that much faster. What else would you expect from the republican. walsto

Walter H Stowe of MA 5:42PM September 08, 2008

don't you think Medicare has the amounts backwards. They should pay the $3000 plus dollars and the insured should pay the $2000 plus.

Wynonia Y Patterson of IN 8:46PM September 07, 2008

My husband has severe heart problems and takes many medications. There are many medications that you can get for $4.00 at Wal Mart. That is what I do and we have not reached the hole yet. That was the only thing that made sense to me. I save his insurance for the more expensive drugs that that is not a generic for.

J Johnston of AL 4:16PM September 07, 2008