OREGON: Group Urges State To Continue Viagra Coverage
The "Campaign for Patient Rights, a statewide consumer group for the rights of managed care patients," yesterday urged Oregon health officials not to end Viagra coverage for the state's Medicaid patients. The Portland Oregonian reports that the Oregon Health Plan, which covers "340,000 poor people," will "reassign" erectile dysfunction to the category of psychological disorders starting October 1, making it less likely that persons suffering from the disorder will be able to get coverage for Viagra. James Davis, chair of the campaign, said, "Erectile dysfunction has rightfully been categorized as a serious disability by respected national and international care organizations, a fact seemingly ignored when the commission made their decision to eliminate this drug therapy." He also dismissed state officials' contention that Viagra coverage would "be a budget-buster," noting that the Oregon Health Plan covers mainly low-income women and children. Dr. James Hancey, a psychiatrist at Oregon Health Services, said, "This decision flies in the face of all the scientific data put forth by the manufacturer (Pfizer Pharmaceuticals) to the Food and Drug Administration to gain approval. ... I don't think the Health Services Commission decision is based on any kind of scientific or medical evidence." Darren Coffman, director of the health services commission, said the commission subcommittee that recommended changing the classification of erectile dysfunction is "setting aside some time for public comment on the change." But he added, "I don't know that we have ever had a case where we have had one decision and reversed it" (Koglin, 8/27).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.