Medicare Cut for Cancer Drugs Proposed

[rhino47]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=4&u=/ap/20040727/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/prescription_drugs_10

By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration proposed cutting Medicare payment rates Tuesday for doctors providing cancer treatment in their offices, projecting savings of $530 million amid concerns that some specialists would reduce their practices.



Medicare chief Mark McClellan said the government is paying far too much for cancer drugs administered in doctors' offices — up to 50 percent more than typical sales prices for some medicines used to treat prostate cancer. The changes, to take place in 2005, would make payments competitive with prices negotiated by other health plans, he said.


Cancer specialists' revenues could decline 2 percent to 8 percent, McClellan said.


Drugs dispensed in doctors' offices to treat lung illnesses, for which Medicare pays 90 percent more than the actual sales price, also would be affected by the proposed changes, he said.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Hell, I don't think I even oppose this measure.

Medicare generally pays less than the going rate for services, drugs etc. Why should these specific instances be exceptions?

And BTW, in most states Medicare pays more than Medicaid.

[Odd Little Man]

3. "The Bush administration proposed..."

$100 says this proposal disappears November 3rd.

[whistle]

2. Not!!! BushCo needs to pay for another missile so guess where...

...the money is coming from? The people who can not afford proper treatment for their cancer illnesses. And from veterans and from the underprivileged and disenfranchised individuals in our society. This is just going to keep happening folks until we drive these pricks back into the holes and under the rocks that they crawled out of. Geeze!!!!

[Jackpine Radical]

4. I certainly agree with your general point

that Shrubco has robbed human service budgets of necessary funds in order to pay for his war and tax cuts for the rich, but I'm not convinced that this particular cut is inappropriate, geven what I know as a health care provider myself.