Prescription drug prices are on the rise and the United States is headed for a crisis.

Tuesday, August 01, 2000

Prescription drug prices are on the rise and the United States is headed for a crisis. More and more seniors are finding themselves choosing between eating and the medicine they need to survive.

And with the projections about the number of Baby Boomers who will soon be heading into their senior years, this is a subject that will be debated for more than a few years to come.

Next to the future of the Social Security system, nothing prompts more passionate responses than Medicare prescription drug benefits and how best to provide the medicine seniors need at a price they can afford.

There can be some private concessions – more control over prices companies can charge as well as more funding available to help reduce research and development costs.

But there is a role for government here, too. Making prescription drug benefits available to all seniors, regardless of income, seems like a small concession and a big help to those who might otherwise have to struggle to take care of their bills each month.

The cost might be larger than simply severely restricting the benefits offered seniors, but that seems like something today’s wealthier society can easily afford.

And it gives us all a chance to do something that not only makes sense, but is the right choice, too.