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Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:48 pm
by Col Hogan
Virginia lawmakers are trying to figure out how to close a massive budget hole...but one recommended cut won't happen...the state will allow state workers to continue to get the little blue pill...
Gov. Tim Kaine (D) had recommended cutting funding for Viagra and similar drugs, as well as non-sedating antihistamines. According to budget documents prepared by his administration, eliminating coverage of the drugs while implementing a "90-day maintenance drug network" would have saved the state $6.8 million over the two-year budget.
The General Assembly agreed to restore funding for the drugs, as you can see in Item 469 #C included as part of the conference report adopted Sunday.
But are lawmakers squeamish? When Kaine recommended the cut, he spelled out the words "erectile dysfunction." But in the assembly's budget, the pills are referred to more obliquely as "ED drugs."
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virgin ... rc=nl_buzz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:06 pm
by ASUG8
I'm sure he faced stiff competition in attempting to block this - fortunately for many, opposition rose up and his attempt fell flat.
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 2:47 pm
by BDKJMU
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:43 pm
by dbackjon
It is actually a medical problem in many cases, but I would agree that is one that the government should not pay for. Many private insurances will not pay for it, so why should a government insurance?
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:48 pm
by Skjellyfetti
And they cut $250,000,000 from education.
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:24 pm
by BDKJMU
Skjellyfetti wrote:And they cut $250,000,000 from education.
Education funding in VA for FY 2010 even after the cuts is still 51.9% higher than in FY 00'. That far outpaces the increase in enrollment (7.2%) and inflation combined. And they (Democrat Senate, Republican House and Gov) passed a budget without any new tax increases. As I posted in that TX thread, the Pew study had VA as one of the 3 best managed states.
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:08 pm
by Pwns
Dear Kongress...
Cut coverage 4 *-™Viagra™-* and we'll fight against U in ur reelection
Signed,
Pfizer
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:18 pm
by 93henfan
Skjellyfetti wrote:And they cut $250,000,000 from education.
At least it wasn't the $475 million that NJ Gov Chris Christie cut from public education last month and the additional $1 billion he proposed yesterday.
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 5:31 pm
by BDKJMU
93henfan wrote:Skjellyfetti wrote:And they cut $250,000,000 from education.
At least it wasn't the $475 million that NJ Gov Chris Christie cut from public education last month and the additional $1 billion he proposed yesterday.
NJ is one of the highest states in per pupil spending. I bet you even after those cuts that if you go back 10 years education funding in NJ will still be up far more than inflation + population growth.
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:10 pm
by JayJ79
dbackjon wrote:
It is actually a medical problem in many cases, but I would agree that is one that the government should not pay for. Many private insurances will not pay for it, so why should a government insurance?
If a program covers Viagra, they better cover birth control. (don't know whether or not this particular program does, I'm just talking generalities).
Pregnancy is a much bigger medical problem than ED.
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:45 pm
by BDKJMU
JayJ79 wrote:dbackjon wrote:
It is actually a medical problem in many cases, but I would agree that is one that the government should not pay for. Many private insurances will not pay for it, so why should a government insurance?
If a program covers Viagra, they better cover birth control. (don't know whether or not this particular program does, I'm just talking generalities).
Pregnancy is a much bigger medical problem than ED.
Why? With no birth control, you could have unwanted pregnancies. Big consequence there. With no Viagra, old farts can't get hard ons. Not nearly as big a consequence there.
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:37 pm
by JayJ79
BDKJMU wrote:JayJ79 wrote:
If a program covers Viagra, they better cover birth control. (don't know whether or not this particular program does, I'm just talking generalities).
Pregnancy is a much bigger medical problem than ED.
Why? With no birth control, you could have unwanted pregnancies. Big consequence there. With no Viagra, old farts can't get hard ons. Not nearly as big a consequence there.
Hence why I said that programs should cover birth control.
Re: Viagra Safe From Budget Knife in VA
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:12 pm
by BDKJMU
JayJ79 wrote:BDKJMU wrote:
Why? With no birth control, you could have unwanted pregnancies. Big consequence there. With no Viagra, old farts can't get hard ons. Not nearly as big a consequence there.
Hence why I said that programs should cover birth control.
My bad- I misread what you wrote. Sorry.