AARP edges away from drug imports

[Algorem]

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/010406/news4.html

By Kelly McCormack and Bob Cusack

In a move that is already attracting criticism from some lawmakers, AARP last week softened its support of drug reimportation legislation by saying that the new Medicare drug benefit saves senior citizens more than buying pharmaceuticals from Canada.

The powerful consumer group has previously endorsed reimportating drugs, but its revised position could severely damage momentum for legislation pending in Congress.

It could also alleviate political pressure on the White House and the pharmaceutical industry, which have opposed reimportation even though it is supported by a majority of members of Congress...

“AARP is selling Medicare drug coverage, so it’s not surprising that they’re pushing their own product,” said Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). “Now they are making an apples-to-oranges comparison between Medicare drug coverage and Canadian drug prices. Seniors deserve decent drug coverage, and every American deserves lower-priced drugs. That’s the bottom line.”...



Daily Health Policy Report

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=34589

Prescription Drugs | AARP Analysis Finds Medicare Drug Benefit Will Save Seniors More Money Than Prescription Drug Reimportation


AARP in a new analysis said that the new Medicare prescription drug benefit could save beneficiaries more than buying prescriptions from outside the U.S., "soften" its position on drug reimportation legislation, The Hill reports. AARP's analysis, titled "The New Math: Cheaper Than Canada? The Drug Benefit May Be the Better Deal," examines the federal government's Medicare drug plan finder to compare costs under Medicare stand-alone drug plans with potential savings from reimportation. The analysis finds that beneficiaries who enroll in a low-cost Medicare prescription drug plan could save more than if they were to buy the same drugs in Canada. The Hill notes that AARP has been working with UnitedHealth Group to offer a Medicare drug plan, in which more than two million beneficiaries have enrolled...

[Justitia]

1. Does this surprise anyone? Won't get fooled again. AARP carries water.

If you haven't already dropped your financial support for this republican rubber stamp enterprise, do so at your earliest convenience.

[acmejack]

2. Since they sell a medicare RX plan now, this not unexpected.

They are a bunch of snakes! Here is a link to a post last night about them.

[newswolf56]

3. AARP: the Big Business/Republican/fascist Fifth Column...

in the community of the elderly: the geriatric equivalent of the Democratic Leadership Council.