This is an archive of the old Stones Cry Out site. For the current site, click here.
« I'm rooting for the polytheists | Main | Take Two and Call Me in the Morning »
February 22, 2005
Pay For Your Own Erection
“Drug companies,” it is reported, “are strenuously resisting bipartisan efforts in Congress to prohibit Medicare from paying for Viagra and other drugs for erectile dysfunction.
The drug companies need to shut up.
Look, I feel bad for the guys who have had some physical issues that leave them impotent or with some degree of ED. And I’m sure the performance enhancement drugs such as Viagra have provided fuller lives for many men, most of them senior citizens.
But frankly, the Constitution doesn’t grant the right to an erection. It is a violation of the rights of others to force them to pay for yours. Further, the estimated costs of Medicare’s new prescription drug benefit have spiraled wildly beyond original estimates, and we certainly cannot afford to cover these or other “lifestyle drugs.”
It’s hard to believe government has become so involved in our lives that this even has to be debated.
Posted by Jim at February 22, 2005 06:42 AM
Trackback Pings
Comments
Can't wait to see what the search engines send our way on this post.
Posted by: Mark Sides at February 22, 2005 08:07 AM
Just plain too much government.
Posted by: Rod Stanton at February 22, 2005 02:53 PM
It is ridiculous that Medicare would even consider funding such a program. As it stands, many Medicare recipients are not able to receive even fundamental needs and are without eye exams and glasses, hearing exams and hearing aids, dental care, etc.
So where will this stupid program take us?
I can visualize hundreds of toothless old men, who are deaf and blind running around with never ending erections, because their Alzheimer’s has caused them to forget what in heck to do about with it!
GIVE ME A BREAK!
Posted by: Mountain Mama at February 22, 2005 05:10 PM
It is obvious that none of you have ever suffered from sexual dysfunction. As a physician, I know it can be as debilitating as a loss of vision, or the development of arthritis. Sexual dysfunction should not be called a 'lifestyle' issue: to some people, it means depression, marital difficlties and divorce. This has effects on spouses and family. It should not be government, employers, insurance companies (or ignorant members of the public) who decide which patient 'deserves' one treatment over another; instead, the doctor and the patient should be allowed to choose an effective treatment in the privacy of the consulting room, according to clinical need. It is perfectly acceptable for there to be some system in place for those patients who can pay at least a contribution towards treatment. But barring an effective treatment, especially barring it from the poor and from those who have erectile dysfunction because of some other disease (such as diabetes) is not the answer. Leave sexual dysfunction alone- sexual health matters.
Posted by: Mc Gregor at February 24, 2005 06:03 PM