Why does the govt pay for Viagra (and other like drugs) prescriptions?

[valerief]

Isn't there enough sperm in the world? Because sex, clearly, is ONLY for procreational purposes in Dumberica.

[cstanleytech]

1. Maybe we should ask Limbaugh why it covers Viagra, after all he clearly has more experience

when it comes to pills than most of us here.

[Voice for Peace]

10. please, somebody call and ask him

I couldn't myself.

[NightWatcher]

2. Because men pass the laws

It's a shame because we all had a mother and many of us have wives and daughters, but the shriveled old white men in congress...

If Womankind collectively cut us off for three months, they'd rule the world. Hey, just putting it out there.

[cstanleytech]

17. "Hey, just putting it out there." And ya best put it away before

Hillary or one of the other women in congress or the senate smacks ya upside the head.............just saying.

[hfojvt]

3. I don't think it should

But I wonder if viagra is as widely used as the pill.

Also, as I understand it, older men who do not have sex are gonna have prostate trouble.

But I still don't think insurance or medicare should pay for ED pills.

[valerief]

4. I thought all men end up with prostate trouble anyway. Besides, the pill is used for more than

contraception.

[Sparkly]

6. Old men who don't have sex get prostate trouble??

Is that the geriatric equivalent of adolescent "blue balls?"

[hfojvt]

11. No

As I understand it the prostate enlarges, blocking the flow of urine. The semen, however, er, spurts through the same channel, helping to keep it open for urine flow.

Of course, I did get my medical degree from a crackerjack box. Nor am I gonna google it, because I will probably get web hits with two different opinions, some of them probably advanced by people who want to sell prostate shrinking drugs.

However, like taking honey for allergies, this is a remedy that is pleasurable to put to the test.

[phylny]

12. That's a broad statement, one I don't agree with.

We are so quick, generally, to complain about old men using Viagra to get it up. Well, my husband (who is NOT an old man) had prostate cancer and a radical prostatectomy three years ago. His doctor said if he hadn't caught it (via our insurance which paid for a PSA) Mr. phylny would be dead in two years. It was an aggressive, nasty cancer (and I have the pictures to prove it). He had previously had no signs of cancer or any erectile dysfunction whatsoever. Not so much after surgery.

Viagra allows us to have a somewhat normal, if not changed, sex life. Without it, that part of our marriage would not include intercourse (and trust me - Viagra can only do so much).

The purpose of many prescriptions and surgeries is to try to make the patient "whole" again. Just as a woman who has had breast cancer can get reconstructive surgery to replace the breast tissue lost, just as people can get hip replacements, knee replacements, and hell, just as I can get antidepressants to make my life whole, or as whole as it can be, so some men get Viagra.

Our insurance covers it, but we pay a hefty co-pay for it. I gladly do it. For my husband, his sexuality is an important part of his life. For our marriage (30+ years), sex is a special part of our intimacy.

And, since I've laid so much bare already, my husband and I had sex so frequently, you'd have thought his prostate would never cause him problems. Unfortunately, not true.

[hfojvt]

18. an enlarged prostate

is not the same as prostate cancer, although cancer being what it is, I am sure that prostate cancer does cause an elarged prostate, but not all prostate trouble is prostate cancer.

Of course the purpose is to make the patient 'whole'. That's how they keep milking you for cash. And since insurance covers it, people think they are getting it for free.

Another day, another walletectomy. (a medical procedure whereby the medical industry reduces the suffereing of the patient by removing the cash from the patient's wallet. It's one of the more popular treatments.)

[phylny]

19. I understand the difference between an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer.

We know we're not getting it for free. I assume you read my post.

You appear to have little to no compassion.

[hfojvt]

22. What I have

is little trust in people who are only to happy to make other people "whole" for a very large fee.

But I can see we need to talk about this more, so let's make an appointment every two weeks for the next year. Of course, I charge $100 an hour for these appointments, but don't you worry about that. The important thing is for you to feel better, and, of course, your insurance will pay for these sessions.

[JoePhilly]

5. The government has a pro-penis-growth agenda.

[valerief]

14. Ha!

[NCarolinawoman]

7. I kept hoping this would be brought up on one of the talk shows.

Tweety is on a rampage lately. (Yes, the "Good Tweety" has emerged again). So I was thinking that he or one of his guests might mention this.

[Voice for Peace]

9. THEY PROBABLY ARE ALL TAKING VIAGRA & that's why they don't bring it up.

just a guess..

[Voice for Peace]

8. Viagra has probably wrecked a lot of longterm marriages

when the wife is middle aged and not so interested in sex
and not so exciting any more and he suddenly has a new
lease on Larry, buh-bye to fidelity.

[valerief]

15. They're never faithful anyway. nt

[SomethingFishy]

25. Of whom do you speak?

All men?

[valerief]

28. What's your interest? nt

[SomethingFishy]

29. Just curious...

From where I'm sitting, you just called all men cheaters. Which, again, from where I'm sitting, sounds like Rush calling women feminazi's or sluts.

I'm curious because I have never cheated on my wife and never thought I was the exception.

So do all men cheat? Except for me?

[valerief]

30. Why do you care what I say (even though I didn't use the word "all")? nt

[bornskeptic]

13. Why do you think it does?

Medicare definitely doesn't pay for Viagra. Medicaid does in a few states, I believe, but then it's paid for with state money. The FEHP or the VA may pay for it, but I don't know that either does. I would think that if you had knowledge of the government paying for viagra, it might be appropriate to provide a link for it.

[valerief]

16. Knock yourself out

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-204_162-670833.html

[iverglas]

20. I would really compare contraception to a flu shot

It is a therapy that is intended to prevent a health problem from developing.

For a woman who does not wish to be pregnant, pregnancy (and all its attendant risks) is very much a health problem.

[WillowTree]

21. Because Viagra treats a physical malfunction.

BCPs, when used for contraception don't. Not wanting to become pregnant is not a medical condition.

And birth control pills have always (for at least the last 40 years or so) been covered by insurance contracts when prescribed to treat actual medical conditions such as dysmenorrhea etc.

[iverglas]

23. vaccines do not treat a physical malfunction

I agree that Viagra is not the appropriate comparison.

However, "not wanting to become pregnant" is a health-related issue, just as not wanting to contract polio is.

Do we take it that you do not think that women are entitled to have contraception covered by their health insurance?

[valerief]

24. So aren't endometriosis and uterine cysts--treated by birth control pills. So what?

Unwanted children create financial hardship and mental health problems. Birth control pills prevent THAT malfunction.

[Arugula Latte]

27. So ensuring men get boners is essential but preventing unwanted pregnancies is not?

Pregnancy effects every part, every system, every aspect of a woman's health. That IS a medical condition -- you'd better believe it. I'm guessing you've never been pregnant or you wouldn't have said what you said.

[Curmudgeoness]

26. Because it is a necessity....

not like those birth control pills!