US New Medicare program includes plans to cut payments for cancer drugs
November 07, 2004
In late July, an announcement was made to cut Medicare payments to cancer doctors. The government spokesperson stated that taxpayers have been paying the physicians up to twice what they should for certain medications.
Cancer doctors and patient advocates said the proposal could force a dramatic change in care, with patients forced to get their treatment in hospitals, rather than in their homes. Oftentimes, patients are not near facilities where they need to go for treatment and currently are able to receive these treatments at home.
Ellen Stovall, a two-time cancer survivor and president and chief executive of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivors, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal (July 27,2004) as saying "Our concern is that whatever cost-savings may be realized will come at the expense of quality care for patients."
Although Medicare will not cover most prescriptions medicines until 2006, it covers the cost of intravenous chemotherapy and other treatment that must be dispensed by medical professionals.
For more information on Medicare, visit http://www.medicare.gov.
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November 07, 2004
In late July, an announcement was made to cut Medicare payments to cancer doctors. The government spokesperson stated that taxpayers have been paying the physicians up to twice what they should for certain medications.
Cancer doctors and patient advocates said the proposal could force a dramatic change in care, with patients forced to get their treatment in hospitals, rather than in their homes. Oftentimes, patients are not near facilities where they need to go for treatment and currently are able to receive these treatments at home.
Ellen Stovall, a two-time cancer survivor and president and chief executive of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivors, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal (July 27,2004) as saying "Our concern is that whatever cost-savings may be realized will come at the expense of quality care for patients."
Although Medicare will not cover most prescriptions medicines until 2006, it covers the cost of intravenous chemotherapy and other treatment that must be dispensed by medical professionals.
For more information on Medicare, visit http://www.medicare.gov.
<< Back
