We hope that today’s “READERS FORUM” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way? 

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

Todays“Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that its time that our elected officials be held accountable for the bad business decisions they make in our behalf?

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While Congress remains stuck in gridlock and edges closer to the February 15th deadline for funding the government while securing our border, today U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) and U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced legislation through the End Pensions in Congress (EPIC) Act.  Currently, Members of Congress are eligible for their federal pension after just five years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. For example, career politician Nancy Pelosi has been in Congress for 33 years, and if she were to retire today, her annual taxpayer-funded pension would be over $102,000.

This legislation would end taxpayer-funded congressional pensions, aligning with President Trump’s agenda of draining the swamp in Washington.

“It’s time we make Washington more like the private sector and the best place to start is to end taxpayer-funded pensions – like Nancy Pelosi’s six-figure annual pension – that senators and congressmen are entitled to in retirement,” said U.S. Senator Mike Braun. “If we remove the luxurious perks from Congress, we’ll get better leaders: that’s why I’ll never accept my Senate pension and, if forced to, I pledge to donate every penny to Hoosier charities.”

“I’m proud to introduce this bill ending taxpayer-funded congressional pensions. I’ve been in Washington a month and I can already see how dysfunctional it is. When Congress failed to do their job and created the longest government shutdown in history, hardworking Americans were forced to go without pay while members of Congress were still collecting paychecks. That is wrong and is exactly why I’m fighting to reform Washington,” said U.S. Senator Rick Scott. “It’s time for term limits and it’s time to make those in D.C. realize that the era of career politicians is over. Americans should not have to foot the bill for generous salaries and pensions for members of Congress, and I’m proud to be working on common sense solutions to make Washington work for families across the nation.”

Attorney General Curtis Hill announced that Indiana has joined the United States, the District of Columbia and other states in settling two qui tam (whistleblower) lawsuits against Walgreens Boots Alliance (Walgreens).

The agreements resolve allegations that Walgreens knowingly engaged in fraudulent over-dispensing of insulin pens to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and billed Medicaid for certain prescription drugs at rates higher than its usual and customary rates. Walgreens, headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., and incorporated in Delaware, operates the largest retail pharmacy chain in the United States with 8,309 locations across all 50 states.

Attorney General Hill, through his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, participated in the investigations and negotiations leading to these settlements.

“It is troubling, to say the least, whenever companies overcharge the Medicaid program through fraudulent or otherwise improper tactics,” Attorney General Hill said. “Many Hoosiers find such conduct especially disconcerting when it comes from well-established companies they have come to know and trust. My staff and I are totally committed to holding businesses accountable whether they are large or small, known or unknown. Safeguarding the funds that are meant to provide health care to the neediest Hoosiers is one of our highest priorities.”

Insulin Pens Settlement

Under the Insulin Pens Settlement, Walgreens will pay the United States and the states $209.2 million. Of this amount, $89.1 million will go to the state Medicaid programs to resolve civil allegations that Walgreens’ unlawful over-dispensing of insulin pens caused false claims to be submitted to the Medicaid health care programs. As part of the settlement, Indiana Medicaid will receive $2.9 million in restitution and another recovery.

The investigation resulted from a qui tam action alleging that from Jan. 1, 2006, through Dec. 31, 2017, Walgreens knowingly over-dispensed insulin pens and overbilled government programs in violation of the federal False Claims Act and similar state statutes.

Pursuant to the settlement, Walgreens admitted to programming its computer system to define a full box of five insulin pens as the minimum dispensing package size. This definition prevented Walgreens pharmacists from being able to dispense fewer than five pens even though a patient’s prescription called for fewer pens than a box of five. Thus, Walgreens repeatedly reported information to state Medicaid programs different from, and lower than, the correctly calculated supply according to standard pharmacy practice and as required by state pharmacy laws. This resulted in state Medicaid programs paying for a substantial number of claims that the programs would not have approved if Walgreens had reported the correct supply of medication based on the prescription. This conduct also opened the door to potential healthcare risks and abuse, such as the improper resale of insulin pens on the Internet.

A National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU) Team conducted the investigation and participated in the settlement negotiations with Walgreens on behalf of the states. Attorney General Hill thanked three of his staff members – Deputy Attorney General Steve Hunt, Investigator Diane Hedges, and Data Analyst Gwen Taylor – for their efforts in leading the NAMFCU Team in its investigation and settlement of this matter.

Discount Drug Pricing Settlement

Under the Discount Drug Pricing Settlement, Walgreens will pay the United States and the states $60 million. Of this amount, $27.9 million will go to the state Medicaid programs to resolve civil allegations that Walgreens submitted claims to the state Medicaid programs in which the prices it identified as the usual and customary prices for certain prescription drugs that it sold through its Prescription Savings Club (“PSC”) program were higher than the prices it charged for those drugs under the PSC program. This practice allegedly enabled Walgreens to get more money in reimbursements from the state Medicaid programs than the amounts to which it was legally entitled. As part of the settlement, Indiana Medicaid will receive $953,742.96 in restitution and another recovery.

This investigation resulted from a qui tam action alleging that from Jan. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2017, Walgreens knowingly failed to follow statutorily prescribed reimbursement guidelines and misrepresented the usual and customary prices for prescription drugs. As a result, Walgreens allegedly overbilled government programs in violation of the federal False Claims Act and similar state statutes.

A National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU) Team including representatives from the Office of the Indiana Attorney General conducted the settlement negotiations with Walgreens on behalf of the states.

Trista Stephens and William Blaine, Evansville, son, Elijah Cole Ronald, January 31

Ashley Huot and Michael French, Oakland City, IN, son, Adalyn Ray, February 4

Courtnay and David Nevil, Evansville, son, Luke Robert, February 4

Chelsea and Adam Barchet, Evansville, daughter, Maxine Leigh, February 4

Arli and Tony Yates Jr., Evansville, daughter, Willow Sue, February 4

Brittany Molina, Evansville, son, Milan Cole, February 4

Ashley Steele and Joshua Davis, Evansville, daughter, Paizley Jasper, February 5

Chelsea Clark and George Proctor, Boonville, IN, daughter, Autumn Rose, February 5

Ashli and Landon Robinson, Oakland City, IN, son, Krew David, February 5

Crystal Jordan, Evansville, daughter, Remington Zariah Gracelyn, February 6

Joann and Derek Hunter, Evansville, son, Malakhai Truth, February 6

Stephanie and Dustin Hunt, Evansville, son, Andrew William, February 6

Courtney and Don Haas, Boonville, IN, son, Grant Warren, February 7

Kenna and Heath Harrison, Oakland City, IN, son, Boone McCoy, February 8