Drug mess leaves pharmacists dazed (Dallas Morning News)

[Horse with no Name]

It's a mess everywhere. You can't tell me it wasn't intentional.


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/011806dnbusMedicare.123ae074.html

"I've been at my pharmacy until midnight every night, putting in 80-hour weeks since the first of the year, trying to sort out my customers' drug coverage," he said. "I can't tell you how much this has disrupted my life and my business."

Mr. Gibbs said he has lent some customers seven to 10 days' worth of medications so they don't suffer while he works out their paperwork problems.

"I own a business, but I'm also responsible for their health," he said.

Other pharmacists who are handing out small supplies to tide over regular customers added that they can't afford to continue the practice for long.

[spanone]

1. There was a very similar story in my hometown newspaper.

HEADLINE: 'Pharmacists decry Medicare chaos'


This is a mess.

This has got to seep into the MSM at SOME point. You would think?

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060117/NEWS07/601170340/1001/ARCHIVES

[NanceGreggs]

5. This is one of those stories ...

... where it doesn't matter whether it seeps into the MSM or not -- and it probably won't, at least not for a while.

The thing is that it's 'seeping' into the lives of all Americans - Repubs & Dems -- and very quickly.

EVERYONE in the country has a parent, grandparent, neighbour, relative or friend who is being affected by this. It's a talk-at-the-bus-stop, gab-at-the-water-cooler-at-the-office, or church-supper-conversation --and it's everywhere! Just like soaring gas prices, home heating prices, the cost of tuition for college -- you name it.

Whether the MSM recognizes it or not, THESE are the things all Americans are living with, and THESE are the things they'll remember when they go to the polls to vote in the mid-terms.

Patience, my friends, patience ...

[txindy]

2. Novakula lays the blame at KKKarl's feet. Yes, believe it or not.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak09.html

Analysis of this at Crooks and Liars:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/01/18.html#a6755

[Daphne08]

11. Shameful! n/t

[rzemanfl]

3. It was a "seamless transition" -this fiasco is going to cost Shrub,

even right-wing nuts have parents who are going to be mad as hell about this.

[StClone]

4. Bush Voters love the new medical coverage!

Do you think they'll rub the two neurons they have left together and say, "if this is supposed to be a Bush success what are his failures really like?" I don't know whom to pity more the the old folks that are so thick they voted for the Bush Crime Syndicate or the non-Bushies that have to suffer for the sins of the lunkheads.

[KT2000]

6. Small, independent

businesses will take a big hit from this, to say nothing of the customers. Probably another benefit for the bush base.

A side effect of some drugs is death if stopped suddenly. Probably another benefit to the bush base.

[Horse with no Name]

9. It was the premise of a book a few years back

I think it was Robin Cook.
HMO's would have people sneak into the hospital in the middle of the night and kill patients with chronic conditions because of the drain on their financial resources. Especially diabetics and heart patients.
I don't think this drug bill is far behind that scenario. They are just doing it in plain sight.

[Raster]

7. big pharma is the clear winner. talk about a giveaway....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=164839&mesg_id=173094

[SmokingJacket]

8. There are some Bush supporters on Medicare.

Some of them must have had a nasty shock when they saw what their boy has done to them, or to their moms.

This could cut into their base.

It's a freaking disaster -- apparently entire CLASSES of drugs are now unavailabe to medicare patients.

[malaise]

14. It's time to mobilize them to demonstrate

and make some serious noise.

[karlrschneider]

10. My brother is a pharm and it's almost literally making him crazy.

He told me the other night he'd like to retire but he's got triplets in
college and can't afford to for now. :-(

[TheCentepedeShoes]

12. I've known a guy

(since I was about 8 or so) who was a pharmacist, he's about 80 and retired now. These folks take their jobs Very Seriously. I feel for all of them.

[zippy890]

13. problem is worse where there are more medicare recipients

which means where there are more low income people, in urban areas.

suburban pharmacies aren't haveing as bad a time because they are not dealing so much with
the new drug-plan.

typical bush administration f**k up - a poorly conceived program, way too complicated,
inadequately implemented and the results will be be a mess, financially and individually.

the republicans just do not know how to run the federal government.

its that simple, and if your low-income especially, your f**cked

[Horse with no Name]

15. and especially if you are dealing with a chain pharmacy

where you are insulated from contact with the actual pharmacist regarding this matter.
Unlike the pharmacist in the OP, they will walk out with nothing.
There isn't ANY way WalMart is gonna let 10 days worth of medicine for many of their customers go out the door without being paid for.