I think that people should not have to pay such a large co-payment for their expensive medication. Their treatment is clearly not futile and even though it is 17% of insurance spending, it is probably one of the most important. This quote from the article explains how to best describe the problem: "That discriminates against people with certain diseases, they say, and contravenes the whole idea of insurance, which is to help people pay for costly medical problems." People can't help that they have such serious diseases and insurance companies can't discriminate because one illness has more costly medicine than another. If anything, it is why they should cover more of the costs. And if the problem is with the ridiculous costs of the medicine, then the patients should not be the ones punished for that. They are the ones that need the help and the fact that the companies that produce the drugs are taking advantage of that need, doesn't mean the patients, who have no control over their illness, should have to pay more.
I agree with nicold they co-payment can be ridiculous amount even with insurance, and it is sad for people without because they deserve the treatment too. The root of the problem is the cost to create these drugs. It is said for every 50,000 drugs are made only one gets pick to go onto the market. This creates a tremendous amount of debt that drug companies have to compensate for, or they make drugs for common illnesses we all get to insure revenue. With fewer drug companies willing to strive to make drugs for serious illnesses the price will continue to increase.
I agree, with the both of you some of the co-pay cost these days are outrageous. There are families who are classified just above the poverty level but have to decide whether or not taking their meds will be best for the family financial situation. I used to work with individuals who had to make these tough decisions and it's really sad to see them go through the pain and suffering. I think that this is a rather selfish move by the companies that are producing the drug it amazes me that something so small and at times so minimal in cost can be unaffordable to those who need it most.
As you all stated above, this is a ridiculous amount for people to pay out of their own pocket. It is sad that people could die from treatable diseases such as hemophilia because they could not afford the medication. I understand that companies need the money to continue creating the drugs, but there has to be some kind of compromise that the insurance companies and companies can come to. The patient should not be penalized because neither is able to meet the other's demands.
I think that people should not have to pay such a large co-payment for their expensive medication. Their treatment is clearly not futile and even though it is 17% of insurance spending, it is probably one of the most important. This quote from the article explains how to best describe the problem: "That discriminates against people with certain diseases, they say, and contravenes the whole idea of insurance, which is to help people pay for costly medical problems." People can't help that they have such serious diseases and insurance companies can't discriminate because one illness has more costly medicine than another. If anything, it is why they should cover more of the costs. And if the problem is with the ridiculous costs of the medicine, then the patients should not be the ones punished for that. They are the ones that need the help and the fact that the companies that produce the drugs are taking advantage of that need, doesn't mean the patients, who have no control over their illness, should have to pay more.
ReplyDeleteI agree with nicold they co-payment can be ridiculous amount even with insurance, and it is sad for people without because they deserve the treatment too. The root of the problem is the cost to create these drugs. It is said for every 50,000 drugs are made only one gets pick to go onto the market. This creates a tremendous amount of debt that drug companies have to compensate for, or they make drugs for common illnesses we all get to insure revenue. With fewer drug companies willing to strive to make drugs for serious illnesses the price will continue to increase.
ReplyDeleteI agree, with the both of you some of the co-pay cost these days are outrageous. There are families who are classified just above the poverty level but have to decide whether or not taking their meds will be best for the family financial situation. I used to work with individuals who had to make these tough decisions and it's really sad to see them go through the pain and suffering. I think that this is a rather selfish move by the companies that are producing the drug it amazes me that something so small and at times so minimal in cost can be unaffordable to those who need it most.
ReplyDeleteAs you all stated above, this is a ridiculous amount for people to pay out of their own pocket. It is sad that people could die from treatable diseases such as hemophilia because they could not afford the medication. I understand that companies need the money to continue creating the drugs, but there has to be some kind of compromise that the insurance companies and companies can come to. The patient should not be penalized because neither is able to meet the other's demands.
ReplyDelete