Medicare Taking Away Medication From Cancer Patients!

[InfoMinister]

This is a letter from John Kerry's forum. I think everyone needs to know about this. It just pisses me off.

" Beginning January 2005 changes in Medicare regulation will affect your potions for receiving certain implanted or infused medications. We are sharing the best information we have at present in an effort to keep you informed.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Federal Government has changed the reimbersement for many drugs including Luprolides (for example Lupron, Viadur, Eligard, Zolodex), and other infusion medications such as Zometa. Under the new reimbursement arrangements, most medical practices will no longer be able to afford to stock the medication in their offices. We will not even know how much Medicare will reimburse the providers until they issue their payment information, which may be late this calendar year.

UNLESS THE CURRENT PLAN IS CHANGED, AS OF JAUNARY 1 2005 it appears that you will need to purchase these drugs directly from the pharmacy of your choice, then bring them to the physician office for administration. Our physicians and office staff are prepared to continue medication administration and administering your other medical treatments.

THERE ARE SURGICAL ALTERNATIVES TO CONTINUING DRUG THERAPY, and your physician will duscuss these with your if you whsh. Please let us know if you wish to discuss alternatives with your physician.

THESE REGULATORY CHANGES are scheduled to go into effect in January of 2005, but this could possibly change if your Congressional representative is made aware how many lives are affected by this policy. You may contact your representative by calling the main House of Representatives number 202-224-3121, or on the internet at www.house.gov

We regret that these proposed changes will create an inconvenience or hardship for any of our patients. We belive it important to notify all patients of the upcoming changes in a timely manner so each could have time to consider how they wished to proceed."

- http://forum.johnkerry.com/index.php?act=ST&f=19&t=85380&st=0#entry564739

[Kanary]

1. What a surprise...... take away, bit by bit, take away.

There will be an outcry, because it involves cancer patients, and there are big organizations supporting them.

If it isn't recinded there will be deaths, and this time, I hope those deaths are followed and counted, unlike what happened with the deaths due to Clinton's welfare deform.

Enough!

Kanary

[InfoMinister]

2. Seems Like It's Under The Radar Right Now

I haven't heard much about the issue at all. We still need to say something about it.

[Kanary]

4. Monday. 1-800-839-5276. Call. And call again.

Ask for the congresscritter (or three) of your choice, "say something about it", and demand their attention to this.

We're going to have to learn to hold their feet to the fire!

Kanary

[madfloridian]

3. I have been posting this for months. It has been ignored.

I hope John Kerry can get attention for it. All our congressmen know it, we have crusading on this.

No one cared until election time. I care because my husband was diagnosed this year.

Maybe we can get something done at election time. Otherwise, it is ignored.

[InfoMinister]

6. Post On the Kerry Forum

Maybe people involved need to post their stories on that thread I linked to. I mean there are a lot of familes that have been affected by cancer. Kerry may want to talk about this and Bush is going to have to talk about it as well if it becomes an issue with a lot of people.

[madfloridian]

5. Join this group instead of AARP.

http://www.retiredamericans.org/

Check under Healthcare on the left for their battle for seniors and Medicare.

[InfoMinister]

7. Bump or Kick or Whatever