I am truly dismayed with the spiraling costs of medicine and particularly the costs of prescription drugs. When the cost of those drugs is such that folks either flat out can't afford them or are forced to make the dire choice of purchasing their prescriptions or paying their bills, more often than not they're willing to forgo their health to keep the wolf from their door.
It is not an exaggeration to say there are more than a few prescription drugs that cost more per month than most families' mortgages. One such drug, Enbrel (used by patients with rheumatoid arthritis, crohn's disease and ankylosis spondylitis) is over $700 for just two weeks. You can be sure that for someone suffering from any of those illnesses that is just one of many pills and potions in their medicine cabinet. My husband uses Enbrel but also suffers from spinal stenosis and osteoporosis. His prescription costs can exceed $2,000 per month. This is not just outrageous; it is criminal.
People in the United States pay more for their prescriptions than any other industrialized nation, and we Alaskans pay the highest costs of all. The current regime in Washington is doing nothing to remedy this injustice. In fact, they appear to be promoting it.
Recently, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, comprised of three Republicans and one Democrat, voted 3-1 along party lines to allow employers to reduce or eliminate health benefits for retirees when they become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Employer-sponsored health plans help retirees pay what Medicare doesn't ‹ this includes their deductibles, their co-payments, their prescriptions, etc. What I don't understand is how our government can allow any employer to renege on an agreement made as part of a term of employment. (Can anyone say "retirement package"?)
What I also don't understand is how the new Medicare prescription drugs bill passed when it doesn't allow the right to negotiate for lower prices. (Can anyone say "major bulk buyer"?)
It's time for a change. It's time to send someone to Washington who will stand up to the pharmaceutical giants and the current majority politicians who are in their pockets. Send Tony Knowles to Washington ‹ he will stand up for us and he will stand up to the special interests that are ruling our country.
America is great because of its people. We don't throw anybody away just because they are sick or they get old. We don't drive people who have worked hard all their lives into poverty because of special deals with special interests.
Patti Boily , Homer
