Sen. Tom Coburn drew ridicule last month for trying in vain to prohibit sex offenders from getting Viagra prescriptions under the new health care law.

But Coburn is now having the last laugh after the Congressional Research Service confirmed his assertions that sex offenders not in prison could get Viagra and other drugs treating erectile dysfunction under health plans subsidized by taxpayer dollars.

In a memo to the Oklahoma Republican, who is one of two doctors in the chamber, and provided to FoxNews.com, the CRS said there are no provisions in the new health care law "which would require health plans to limit the type of benefits that can be offered based on the plan beneficiary's prior criminal convictions."

"Additionally, there do not appear to be any provisions that would specifically restrict qualified health plans' coverage of drugs prescribed to treat ED," the memo read.

"Therefore, a convicted rapist, child molester, or other sex offender who is not incarcerated would not appear to be excluded from enrolling in a qualified health plan through an American Health Benefit Exchange in their state solely because of that conviction," the memo added.

Coburn offered an amendment blocking this to the companion bill that reshaped parts of the health care law. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., dismissed it as a "gotcha amendment" designed to be difficult for Democrats to oppose. But the amendment failed 57-42.

The CRS is also seeking information from the Department of Health and Human Servicers congressional liaison office per Coburn's request on whether there have been known cases in which federal health programs such as Medicaid provided sex offenders coverage for drugs to treat erectile dysfunction.

But the CRS sent Coburn news articles that describe cases in which sex offenders did receive those drugs through state Medicaid programs.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/06/gop-senator-health-care-law-permit-sex-offenders-viagra/

Challk another one up for the the Dems!

another point of view from
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/05/30/10517.aspx

Laura Berman, Ph.D., who is a sex therapist, in speaking to the Chicago Sun Times says that in her clinical experience, healthy sexual encounters are actually a key part of a sex offender's successful recovery because they teach the sex offender to refocus his desire on an appropriate subject.

Berman says that some convicted sex offenders have been in treatment for decades, with no recidivism, and to deny them access to a normal sex life such as refusing them treatment for erectile dysfunction, would be counterproductive. Instead of aiding and abetting a sex offender, it's more likely that Viagra is being prescribed to those in a healthy, consensual relationship who are experiencing erectile dysfunction, says Berman.

Dr Berman says that if a doctor has decided that Viagra should be part of a sex offender's recovery toward a normal life, and Viagra is covered by our federal Medicaid program, it would be wrong to deny the treatment, and taking away a past sex offender's Viagra may actually impede successful treatment.

It is of concern that politicians may be making decisions for physicians and as treating sexual criminals is not a uniform practice that can be codified, care must be taken, and to deny some past sex offenders medication in an attempt to control the group as a whole is unwise.

Berman says public funding for a drug like Viagra is in line with the public interest. She does not feel every sex offender deserves Viagra and only that person's doctor is trained to make the distinction between someone who is good a candidate for Viagra and someone who should never have access to the drug.

Doctors must be trusted to make wise decisions and make sure they check the sex offender list when prescribing certain medications, says Berman and then maybe the bipartisan agreement can be directed towards law enforcement and rehabilitation instead.

Laura Berman, Ph.D., is a sex therapist, and director of Chicago's Berman Center (www.bermancenter.com; 800-709-4709) and author of a new book, Secrets of the Sexually Satisfied Woman: 10 Keys to Unlocking Ultimate Pleasure.



NOT ALL SEX OFFENDERS HAVE COMMITTED THE SAME OFFENSE AND DOCTORS SHOULD BE DOING ADEQUATE MEDICAL RESEARCH ON THEIR OWN PATIENTS TO DECIDE WHAT IS NEEDED, not the medically untrained and emotional public,,

I still think castrastion should be mandatory.

* shakes head *

Can you just IMAGINE the conversations in those " therapy " sessions??

Doc " You can't get it up for women because you are attracted to little boys?? "

Patient " That's right doc. "

Doc " Well that's just not acceptable. here. I am going to give you a Viagra prescription so that you can go have sex with some women. That will help you learn more proper desires. "

Patient " Gee. Thanks, doc. I really appreciate that. "

__________________________________________________________

You have GOT to be freaking KIDDING me.

Ohhh. I see.

It's perfectly acceptable for politicians to make health care decisions for everyone ELSE....

But heaven forbid, they make a decision about the sense of giving rapists and pedophiles Viagra.

Freakin BRILLIANT.

" But they've been TREATED. They are all CURED now. "

It is fascinating, and sad at the same time, to see how far this country has fallen because of always being worried about everyone's " feelings ".

to have insurance is one thing, to prescribe treatment is another,, and a doctors job

all sex offenders are not pedophiles so painting them with the same brush is not logical...

some are statuatory offenders , which could mean they just didnt have the states legal blessing due to age

some have been convicted of harassment

the list is varied and long and not all are so beyond repair as to not have a healthy life that includes sex

No, they're been getting it for years..."chalk" one up for the GOP for not doing something about it back in 2000.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/may/23/20050523-104633-6905r/

'ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Federal officials are scrambling to plug a legal loophole that allows convicted rapists and other high-risk sex offenders to receive erectile-dysfunction drugs paid for by Medicaid.

"The issue was revealed Sunday by the New York state comptroller's office, which said audits of the period from January 2000 to March 2005 found that 198 sex offenders in New York received Medicaid-reimbursed Viagra after their convictions. Their crimes included offenses against children as young as 2, Comptroller Alan Hevesi said."

Damn. It's so nice to know that our TAX DOLLARS are being spent to give convicted sex offenders the means to continue to offend. If they suffer the shame and embarrassment of being 'the man with limp spaghetti' at the Sex Offenders Office Party and Orgy, why, by all means let's help their 'self-esteem' and fund their 'obvious need' with free Viagra so they can continue their predatory behavior. This really isn't so different from the way we recruited 'help' from the Afghan 'warlords' ... give 'em what Robin Williams called 'the dick of death' (remember that from 'Moscow on the Hudson'?) and they'll 'fight' for 'our side'. Same song, different verse. We're the Enabling CandyMan with the Instant Wood pills ... I wonder if this option is available to regular, non-criminal people who might have to use Part D for their meds ... ? Naaaah. That's crazy talk ... crims, tho' ...

There is no cure for creeps like that.

politicians are not making healthcare decisions,,they are making COMMERCE decisions (who pays for the healthcare)

health related matters are still the concern of DOCTORS

Not when they tie the doctors hands.

Of COURSE they're allowing it, that's some votes they'll be getting in the next election.

from what i have heard , a lot of the people who rape women do it because the need the excitement to even get it up . so if you don't want them to rape GUESS what you need to do . if they can get it up they don't have to rape . they can score on one of the pass arounds ..

I agree and this should have been fixed way back in 2000 when it started...gee who was in charge for the next 8 years?...hummm, let's see....hummmm...now who was it?



Wow how simple facts can make some people look really really stupid.

OOPs sorry wrong post.

There is no way for a doc to know if he is treating a criminal unless the criminal is already under arrest so this is ridiculous to even try to attempt.

Right.

Are some really THAT clueless????

not at all,, being that my brother is a doctor and I am sure that HE makes his own decisions regarding patients and not any politician