Rep. Fossella Bill Would Close Medicaid Loophole Giving Viagra to Sex Offenders

Rep. Fossella Bill Would Close Medicaid Loophole Giving Viagra to Sex Offenders
May 24, 2005

Fossella: "It's Like Giving Heroin to a Drug Addict"

[Washington, DC] - Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY13) today announced that he will introduce legislation that would close the federal loophole that currently gives states the discretion to provide Viagra to convicted sex offenders at taxpayer expense through Medicaid.

Fossella's bill comes one day after a report by New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi revealed that 198 of the State's most dangerous sex offenders received Viagra at taxpayer expense, costing $85,000 over the past five years.

"This is like giving heroin to a drug addict," Fossella said. "It is inconceivable that taxpayer dollars are being used to enhance the ability of convicted sex offenders to prey upon innocent victims. This legislation would close the loophole and prevent any State from continuing to dispense Viagra to convicted sex offenders. We must take every action to keep our families safe from these dangerous criminals. Studies show that sex offenders are four times more likely to be rearrested than other criminals. Giving them free Viagra would only serve to encourage them to attack again and again."

Fossella spoke to officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) yesterday to express his concerns and requested the agency restrict the ability of states to provide Viagra to sex offenders. HHS announced late yesterday it would be issuing a letter to the States informing them to stop making the drug available to sex offenders.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny13_fossella/050524_viagra.html