Ass-backwards System

The New York Times reported in an April 14 article that many insurance companies are now charging exorbitant prices for numerous prescription drugs.

Instead of charging patients the usual $10, $20 or $30 co-pay, insurance companies are now asking members to pay between 20 to 30 percent of the actual cost of the drugs. For some, this adds up to thousands of dollars a month. The drugs that fall into this category range from medications for arthritis to cancer, and according to the New York Times article, the vast majority of them do not have cheaper generic versions so patients are forced to pay the costs or else put their health at serious risk.

There is something inherently wrong with our health care system. We are bombarded with ads for frivolous prescription drugs, yet the people who suffer from serious, life-threatening health problems are being forced to pay through the roof for medicine that they have to take in order to live. It doesn’t make any sense.