Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

Medicare D: Today's News

by Street Kid
Thu Jan 26th, 2006 at 03:53:25 PM EST

Just a quick one for now: More people have been unable to get their rx's.

Sacramento resident Randi Sanford, 50, who has cystic fibrosis, had to go without the antibiotic infusions she needed to fight an infection because the new Medicare prescription drug benefit would not cover the procedure when administered at home.
John Slack, 66, went to Kaiser Permanente's hospital in San Rafael earlier this month to pick up nine prescriptions, including medications to fight rejection from a liver transplant. But the pharmacist told him he couldn't get his drugs because he had been switched to a different health plan.
Patricia Franks, 69, of Gerber in Tehama County had to borrow blood pressure medication from a brother-in-law after her pharmacist refused to fill her prescriptions.
San Francisco's Johnny Wilson, 49, who is HIV-positive, had his medication only because he had laid in a three-month supply before the new program started. By the time he got his Medicare drug card, he was down to his last few pills.

All were eventually able to get their rx'x although they received conflicting/confusing information re: Medicare D and had to fight through a bureaucratic nightmare in order to do so. However, Slack, who also suffers from renal disease, had to be admitted to the hospital, where he received the necessary rx's.

The overwhelming concensus is that most prefer the Medicaid sytem and wish to turn the calender back to December 31, as Medicaid was still in effect, as there is so much uncertainty re: next month and Medicare D.

Medicare D: Today's News | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Medicare D: Today's News (4.00 / 3)

Short and sweet. This is happenning all over the county!

"First, they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Mahatma Gandhi

by Street Kid on Thu Jan 26th, 2006 at 03:54:29 PM EST

Re: Medicare D: hidden suprise (4.00 / 4)

posted too fast

Confusion over regulations in the Medicare law kept Randi Sanford, the woman with cystic fibrosis, from getting antibiotics she needs for recurrent infections. Typically, she administers the medicine herself using pre-mixed syringes delivered to her home, a process known as home infusion therapy.
Under the new law, Medicare covers the antibiotic but not the cost of mixing the drug, preparing the syringe or delivering the supplies to her home.
The new Medicare benefit does not pay all the costs associated with home infusion therapy, which typically involves antibiotics, pain management drugs or nutritional products that can be taken at home instead of a hospital setting...

"First, they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Mahatma Gandhi

by Street Kid on Thu Jan 26th, 2006 at 03:59:03 PM EST

Re: Medicare D: Today's News (4.00 / 3)

Hey Kid-I know others have said it but let me chime in also say that your series on Medicare D(for disaster)is absolutely great and very greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately this whole mess isn't going to go away. It's simply too much of a screwed up 'Plan' from the start to have any good effect except for the drug companies and the insurers.

'Poverty is the worst form of violence'--Gandhi

by chocolate ink on Thu Jan 26th, 2006 at 04:57:00 PM EST

Thanks. (4.00 / 2)

Yeah, I know that it appears that we're stuck with the damn thing. Especially after reading about Byrd's cave-in, the last thing that I feel like doing is writing/posting another one about a single-payer system.

"First, they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Mahatma Gandhi

by Street Kid on Thu Jan 26th, 2006 at 05:28:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

PS to chocolate ink (4.00 / 2)

So I didn't--just xposted what I had here at mlw and dkos-- I plan to link to it when I post single-payer, it will further illustrate a point I want to make. (If someone doesn't like it, that is there problem, not mine and I am not going to make it mine.) Don't mean to sound snarky, but I need a break from this Medicare D crap!

"First, they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Mahatma Gandhi

by Street Kid on Thu Jan 26th, 2006 at 06:29:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: PS to chocolate ink (4.00 / 2)

Street Kid - You know you've got my support. I think you are doing a great job. BTW I sent that Lte to my congressman - he voted against it. I told him how proud I was of him and added some of the horror stories I've read here.

Take a break for awhile and rest up, because we need you.

Take Care

Mundane Doesn't Describe It

by Family Man (FamilyMan1atbellsouthdotnet) on Thu Jan 26th, 2006 at 07:31:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thanks Family Man! (4.00 / 2)

It means a lot to me. I'm just going to read a bit, post comments if I feel like it, and make it an early nite...

"First, they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Mahatma Gandhi

by Street Kid on Thu Jan 26th, 2006 at 08:21:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Medicare D: Today's News | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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