Viagra joins Medicare’s coverage list

WASHINGTON – Sexual performance drugs such as Viagra will be covered in Medicare’s new prescription drug program, a lifestyle rather than lifesaving benefit that conservatives and watchdog groups say the government shouldn’t provide.

Like those for maladies such as high blood pressure and heart disease, prescriptions for Viagra and similar drugs in its class will be tightly controlled. The new prescription coverage begins next Jan. 1 and is expected to cost more than $500 billion over the next decade.

Pfizer’s Viagra, Bayer’s Levitra and Eli Lilly & Co.’s Cialis are used primarily to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra might also prove useful in treating enlarged hearts that can result from high blood pressure.

Some public watchdogs say coverage of such drugs could bankrupt the health insurance program for seniors.

“Asking Uncle Sam to pay for the romance of 76 million baby boomers will quicken the impending collapse of Medicare,” said Tom Schatz, head of Citizens Against Government Waste.

On Capitol Hill on Tuesday, talk turned to what types of drugs are covered. “We’re going to have to take another look at this whole drug benefit,” said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.