Prescription coverage would ruin doctors

Before seniors join the demands that Medicare pay for prescription drugs, they should examine what they are doing. Their primary physician is being cut back by Medicare to the extent he barely makes a modest living. Being a doctor these days is not a gold mine.

Your physicians’ office is maintained by a good number of very qualified office workers. They do necessary work but are not producing income. Your doctor works a good part of his day to pay those office workers’ salaries. Recently, physician’s pay from Medicare was cut again. Now Medicare also includes doctors of naturopathy, doctors of chiropractic, doctors of osteopathy as regular services, and they perform needed services, just as do doctors of medicine.

With all those services included, it is unfortunate that Medicare cannot include payment for prescription drugs. Until Congress adds funds to include payment of drug bills, the money is not there. The fact that drug companies are charging an arm and a leg for their product is another problem, but running doctors out of business cannot solve it.

Whether you pay too much of your income for drugs is an important matter. But forcing your physician to tell you he cannot afford to care for you any longer is hardly a solution.

Call your representative or senator and tell them to get with it! For heaven’s sake, don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.

In case you doubt it – I am on Medicare.

Arlington