DHS says three sex offenders got Viagra through Medicaid

Iowa’s department of Human Services says it’s determined that three Iowans on the state sex offender registry did receive Viagra paid for by Medicaid. Just last week some states found their programs to insure low-income residents were paying for prescription drugs that in some cases included sexual performance treatment medications, and a few of the clients were former sex offenders. Roger Munns is spokesman for Iowa’s Department of Human Services. D-H-S checked the most recent one-month period to see how many Medicaid recipients were getting Viagra, or any of the brand-named drugs for erectile dysfunction. That number was 270, out of 300-thousand Iowans on Medicaid, and out of those 270 it turns out there are three people who’re on the state’s sex-offender registry. The agency’s since contacted those three clients and told them their prescriptions will not be renewed, and from now on will tell anyone who inquires that you’ll not be eligible to have Medicaid pay for such prescriptions if you’re on the state’s sex-offender registry. Munns explained there’s now an additional qualification for anyone requesting the state Medicaid program to pay for Viagra or similar drugs.He says, you need to be eligible, which means having a low income. You must be over age 21, have a doctor’s prescription — and now, must not be on the state sex-offender registry. Up till now, the state program did not have authority to ask about their background, but the state has now clarified that agencies can and will screen Medicaid clients so low-income patients on the sex-offender list will not get state-paid medications for erectile dysfunction.