Medicare Approves Avastin for Ovca

[shewrites]

Tonight my husband emailed me an article he found in the New York Times (online), dated January 27, 2009, in the health section, titled "Medicare Widens Drugs It Accepts for Cancer."

The article is by Reed Abelson and Andrew Pollack and the summary is:  With little public debate, Medicare has expanded its coverage for cancer treatments lacking F.D.A. approval.  The article specifically mentions Avastin and also Gemzar.  It is not very approving because Avastin is one of the most expensive cancer drugs, the Bush administration did it, etc., etc., etc.    

But this looks like a breakthrough for older women who need Avastin -- a step in the right direction.  

[jane65]

Thank you so much for bringing this article to our attention, I read it on the N.Y.Times on line website and was thrilled. I'm on Medicare, and my oncologist and I have discussed Avastin, he had told me he'd fight  for me to get it, if he felt it was necessary for my treatment. Now the fight won't be necessary, I printed it out and will bring it to discuss with him at my next chemo appointment. Thanks again for the good news.

[Ellen1957]

I agree!  I know it was part of the article but I would rather have read etc.etc.etc. and his name eliminated.  That's is what I meant when I said "Please try not to bring Bush into this"  I haven't read the article.  The Times can't move on....it's a shame!  With all the loss of jobs and the greedy people I hope we (the people) can cover the cost of these drugs that have been approved for medicare.  So much spending.   Avastin is between 10,000.00 and 6,000.00. a dose.  Why so expensive?  I'm on cytoxan and it was used in the early 90's and my doctor told me it costs under $40.00.  I know it is an old drug but how can these companies justify 10,000.00?  Gemzar is about the same price.  Thank God we have good coverage.  The availablities of different treatments is limited for me but I'd really like to see the prices come down and maybe the insurance companies will start covering them.  I'm sure they can push for FDA approval.  I don't know the protocal.  All I know is that somebody out there is making alot of money.  Health Insurance is a big issue.  I have no answers.  That is why I want to trust our leader.  We need to get out of this mess.    I don't read the NY Times anymore because I moved away from that area.  I use to read both the Post and the Times and got a kick out of them because they were entirely different.  Well, I'll give a big YAHOO to all the Medicare patients.  Hope this treatment works for you!  God Bless!!!!  Cindy  ps. I know the OCC had received a letter from Obama (not sure)....that was a few months ago.  It is interesting why we do not know the origin of his mother-in-law's cancer.  I don't think it is a privacy issue becasue everything he does is in the news.  It must have come from his request.  The only reason to suppress that kind of news is that maybe it was ovarian and he is protecting his daughters. Think about it,  if the news media picked up a story about the grandmother and greatgrandmother to the Obama girls died of Ovarian Cancer and the reporter reseached the disease, it might scare the girls and he would not want that.  If it is true and she did die from the same disease he must act now while they are young.  Let's pray!  I guess he'll take care of us when he starts his Health care plan.  I hope Ovarian is at the top of the list!!!!  

[JC145]

Usually, once Medicare approves a drug, the insurance companies will approve it.  Let's hope it works that way .. and soon.  (If Medicare pays, we pay .. if Medicare denies, we deny .. insurance company policy.)

Judy

[shewrites]

My mention of Bush relates to the reporters' take in their article, not my personal opinion, which can stay out of it.  I think they did not approve of the last-minute nature of the decision, and they quoted people who said that Medicare can't afford to cover off-label uses of expensive drugs.  You should be able to find the article online.  

I also noticed that there was no mention of what type of cancer Obama's grandmother had.   What's up with that?  Inquiring minds want to know.  

I hope that the ovarian cancer-related organizations make an effort to reach both the President and the First Lady in hopes of getting more funding for ovarian cancer research.  Perhaps we should be sending our comments via the White House website?    

[Cindy809]

That is very good news for medicare patients.  I know a lot of ladies that do not have to pay for Avastin if they have assisted programs.  One of them is a dear friend of mine and I'm happy that she gets the drug and also happy for the others.  We pay an outrageous monthy payment for private insurance due to my illness.  We are caught in the middle....do I sell my house and use up all my savings to get the same benefits?  That would be the only way I would qualify.  Middle class people are hit the hardest.  Right now we are paying out of pocket for a low dose of Avastin.  The FDA drags its feet with Ovarian Cancer.  Maybe this approval from Medicare will get the ball rolling.  My doctor told me yesterday that Avastin is being used for everything.  Unfortunately my dose is so low I don't know if it will work for me.  Please try not to bring Bush into this.  Let's move on....It is the  pharmaceutical companies that are robbing the system.  Enough already.  Politics should not enter this forum.  We have enough problems trying to stay alive.  Hopefully this administration will get more funding for OVCA.  Obama's mother died from the disease and I know he doesn't want anything to happend to his daughters so this president will be in our favor.  Also, they never mentioned what type of cancer his grandmother had.  She was Obama's mother's mother.  I'm hopeful and I'm standing by our president and  he needs to help us and his daughers.  I hope I didn't offend you but I'm tired of the same old thing with Bush.   I want to look to a brighter future for us.  God Bless you all.