Penis Pumps Cost US Government Millions & Millions - Watchdog Report
The December 2013 report said: “Medicare payment amounts for VES remain grossly excessive compared with the amounts that non-Medicare payers pay. Medicare currently pays suppliers more than twice as much for VES as the Department of Veterans Affairs and consumers over the Internet pay for these types of devices.”
Here’s the rub: If the price had been adjusted to what non-Medicare members pay, the government would have saved an average of $14.4 million for EACH of the six years.
“Considering the strain retiring baby boomers will soon be placing on Medicare’s budget, shouldn’t we be focusing this entitlement program on real, life-saving treatment and equipment to serve the health needs of seniors - instead of subsidizing penis pump purchases?” Ben Domenech of the Heartland Institute think tank said in an email statement.
“And to those seniors who really do want one,” added Domenech, “just buy it yourself - you don’t need to send the bill to your fellow Americans.” (Reporting by Jim Loney; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Peter Cooney).
More: Penis Pumps Cost US Government Millions & Millions - Watchdog Report