A group calling itself One Nation America is running some TV ads on behalf of Ohio's Republican Senator, Rob Portman, who's up for reelection this fall. The spots are a classic example of FUD -- fear, uncertainty and doubt. You're not exactly sure what they're talking about, but you know it's bad.
In this case, it has something to do with the Obama administration's proposed change to Medicare Part B drug coverage, and from the tone of the ad, you'd think Obama was murdering old cancer patients.
Wow! No specifics, but it's an evil "experiment" to "reduce access, increase cost, take away choice, and insert the government." So says "Dr. Bane." Dr. Bane does not bother to explain how these horrible things will actually occur. Who the hell is Dr. Bane? Is he really a doctor?
Here's the scoop: The proposed change would impact about half of all Medicare providers. Under Part B, it would change the reimbursement for certain prescription drugs (like chemo drugs) from 106% of the drug's average retail price to 102.5%, plus a flat fee of $16.80.
The pharmaceutical industry, the AMA, and the American Hospital Association are all opposed. So is Robbie Portman, their bought-and-paid-for Senator. They say it amounts to tackling the drug price problem on the backs of all those poor Medicare doctors and hospitals.
Poor, my ass! I'm sure their backs can bear up under the strain. You're already being reimbursed above retail! Under the proposed change, it would still be above retail, just slightly less. If you can't get by on over-retail reimbursements, the problem is all yours.
And now you know.
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