What is wrong with the Medicare bill, according to Consumers Union

[Eric J in MN]

Consumers Union says that seniors will actually be paying more for pharmaceuiticals in 2007, after the Medicare bill has taken effect.

The price of pharmaceuticals is increasing much faster than inflation. The bill doesn't control prices. It could have lowered prices by letting the government negotiate lower prices or by allowing Canadian imports, but doesn't.

So we're spending $400 billion in tax dollars over the next tne years, and seniors will be worse off.

http://www.consumersunion.org/

[izzie]

1. Well I have been saying this.

If you can get $100 for pills now and the govt will pay one half of the bill the company will make the cost 200. It already knows they can get the $100 from you and now they can double it with govt. pay. I understnad their is no control on what the companies need to pay.These companies will bleed the people to death.

[Eric J in MN]

2. exactly

The same problem exists with college tuition, where the government is providing loans, but not requiring colleges to enage in price-control, and the cost of college continues to rise faster than inflation.