Opinion: Government ‘negotiation’ could hinder the development of new cures, treatments
The long-term patient impacts of diseases such as diabetes tend to be underestimated in the U.S. Diabetes is largely looked at as a “manageable” and inconvenient disease, but in addition to constant blood sugar monitoring, daily “pricks” and shots, diabetics also have vastly shortened life expectancies. For example, on average, the life expectancy of American males with Type 1 diabetes is only 66 years, a full 11 years shy of the national average.
stl Today Editoral: Congress should cap out-of-pocket Medicare Costs
Regarding “Ban on negotiating Medicare drug prices under pressure” (Oct. 6): According to a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, reducing prescription drug prices is a top priority for most Americans. And that isn’t surprising. Too many patients struggle to afford the medications they need. However, I strongly disapprove of Congress’s current attempts to combat this issue by focusing on Medicare negotiations between the government and pharmaceutical companies. I think this move could limit patients’ access to medicines.