Missing the real problem

People are all up in arms over the story out of New York that 198 rapists and assorted other sex offenders have been getting Viagra bought with our government confiscated money. The situation is so obviously wrong even New York's two U.S. Senators condemned it.

New York's two senators said Sunday the problem should be corrected.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a statement that it was "deeply disturbing and runs contrary to the purpose of Medicaid, which is to provide health care coverage for uninsured, low-income individuals." Clinton, a Democrat, urged Leavitt to look into the matter, and said she would explore legislative options.

New York's other senator, Democrat Chuck Schumer, said at a press conference in New York City that he hoped the issue could be resolved without a bill, but he's prepared to offer one if needed.

"While I believe that HHS did not do this intentionally, when the government pays for Viagra for sex offenders, it could well hurt many innocent people," he said.

To be fair to New York, I'm certain other states have similar problems. New York is just the one where an audit was held.

The outrage is misplaced! The problem isn't who is getting the impotence medicine. The problem is with Medicaid paying for it for anyone. This is the crap that is bankrupting the system. Elective surgery or non-necessary medicines should not be paid for by Medicaid. If you can't afford it you don't need it. How did Viagra get approved? I'm sure you could find a money trail from the pharmaceutical industry lobbyists to the approving authority.