Gordon Wants Viagra Prescriptions To Sex Offenders Stopped

Gordon Wants Viagra Prescriptions To Sex Offenders Stopped

June 10, 2005, WASHINGTON, D.C. - Outraged that sex offenders have been obtaining Viagra and other sex-enhancing drugs through taxpayer-funded Medicaid, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon is calling for a stop to this abuse of public funds.

Gordon, in fact, is sponsoring the Sex Predator Reform Act, which prohibits convicted sex offenders from using Medicaid or Medicare dollars to purchase sex-enhancement drug prescriptions.

"It's appalling that convicted sex offenders can use taxpayer money to purchase drugs like Viagra," said Gordon, dean of the state's congressional delegation. "That's not only a flagrant waste of public funds, but it is also unconscionable to allow this to continue, especially in light of the administration's proposal to reduce Medicaid benefits to those who truly need help."

The administration's 2006 budget proposed cutting Medicaid benefits by $60 billion over 10 years. Gordon opposes arbitrary cuts to the program, pointing out that wasteful spending should be curbed instead.

"I don't understand the need to punish 53 million of our most vulnerable citizens who truly depend on the program for health care when we have convicted sex offenders who abuse the system," Gordon explained. "We should be doing a better job of making sure we help people who truly need it and stop those who misuse worthy programs like Medicaid."

A staunch advocate of tougher penalties and restrictions for sex offenders, Gordon pointed to the recent murders of two Florida children as a need to get tougher on these types of criminals.

"The recent kidnapping and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford was horrifying, as was the murder of 13-year-old Sarah Lunde," Gordon said. "Both suspects in these murders had a history of sexual crimes.

"These cases are unfortunate proof of why we need tougher restrictions and monitoring policies for anyone who has been convicted of a sexual assault."

Gordon is also a co-sponsor of HR 1505, the Jessica Lunsford Act, and HR 1355, the Child Predator Act. Both bills require closer monitoring of sexual offenders and predators and stiffer penalties for those who fail to register their whereabouts with the proper authorities.

"Our children trust us to protect them from harm. Anything that we can do to keep them safe is a worthwhile effort," the congressman added.

http://www.house.gov/gordon/newsroom/press_050610_viagramedicaidstop.shtml