Prescription Drugs have become problematic in almost every sense of the word. From cost to abuse, every part of the process has downfalls but one of the less documented pitfalls of prescription drugs is Medicaid.
Medicaid is a government assistance program that allows its members to receive upwards of 90 percent of all medications at no charge. Simply put, Medicaid is the best possible insurance a person could have.
So what's the problem? Medicaid, much like high strength pain pills and amphetamines it is used to obtain, is being abused. It was designed for low income individuals but is now growing and reaching more people. The program saw a 12 percent annual increase in enrollment from 2000 to 2004. Not only was enrollment up but overall spending saw a 33 percent jump.
On average Medicaid patients take more medications per person than the regular U.S populace. These aren't antibiotics either, they are pain killers, antidepressants and yes even erectile dysfunction meds (most insurance companies don't cover ED drugs). I'm not heartless, but I don't want to pay for someone else's happy pills.
Hiding behind the mask of a legit assistance program, Medicaid has become one of those get rich off the government schemes.Photo: Drew Streans
Perhaps the most disturbing part of the Medicaid dilemma is that not all its members fit my definition of "low income." In my years in the prescription medication business I have seen Medicaid members come in wearing designer suits, driving Cadillacs and have even filled a script for one Medicaid patient who was on their way to vacation in Europe. Since when did government aid programs raffle off first class flights and five star hotels?
Medicaid has become a vulture preying on the American working class. I don't mind paying to keep people alive, but I draw the line on paying for other peoples sex lives; I have a hard enough time worrying about mine. We can't let Medicaid become the next Social Security because if it continues to grow who will be paying for it? Hopefully not me.