KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasShould Medicaid Pay For 'Lifestyle' Drugs

Should Medicaid Pay For 'Lifestyle' Drugs

The famous "little blue pill" Viagra changed the sexual landscape for American men, whose erectile dysfunction kept them from enjoying a full life. Medicaid pays for a lot of men to take these drugs. And some are asking, should the government be paying to treat sexual problems?

Medicaid currently pays $15 million a year for impotence medication. When Medicare's prescription benefit kicks in next year, should it pay for the same drugs? The House has already voted against such funding by a 2-to-1 margin and now the Senate must decide.

Senator John Ensign (R) Nevada calls them "lifestyle drugs." "We have to ask ourselves the question -- when our seniors need help with lifesaving drugs, should the federal government be paying for lifestyle drugs? Should the government be paying for drugs like Viagra and Cialis? I don't believe that they should. I think that that's something that people should be paying for themselves instead of the taxpayers having an extra burden on them."

At the Acacia Springs senior community in Las Vegas, most of the residents the Eye on Health team spoke with agree.

Erma Barker commented, "From what I've heard over the years, since it came out, there are many that really don't need it that take for the extra... And I don't believe in Medicare paying for that."

Harley Lamay said, "If they would like to use it, save the money and pay for it."

BJ Hill said, "I have known too many people that have to have (either) drugs or food. It gets that tight."

And Billie Munro added, "No. I do not think that Medicare should pay for Viagra."

But others feel the government should not override doctors' orders, and Renee Neima believes that the individual situation has to be considered. "Sometimes a lady needs more than she's getting or vice-versa. So if they need a little help, they should get a little help, to keep the marriage together."

The drugs affected would be Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

And Eye on Health would love to know what you think about the proposed ban on federal funding. Take the poll a the top of this page!