May 28, 2005

Morgantown Delegate Questions If State Funds Medicald for Impotence Drugs for Sex Offenders

by HNN Staff

Charleston (HNN) - Del. Cindy Frich (R-44th District) has written Gov. Joe Manchm asking if West Virginia is currently funding impotence drugs for sex offenders.

In her May 27, 2005 letter, she writes: "West Virginia is under funding the upcoming Medicaid budget by $30 million and can ill afford to be funding erectile dysfunctions of sex offenders. If the state is currently funding impotence drugs for sex offenders, this practice must end."

Frich, from Morgantown, added: "Not only would this be an unnecessary burden to tax payers and competition for more important Medicaid needs, it would be offensive to victims of sexual crimes. The federal government has warned that there could be sanctions If states continues this practice."

Frich wants the governor's office to "run a cross reference for Medicatd funding of Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and any other erectile dysfunction medication with the State Police sex offender registry. I am considering a Freedom of Information request, however the HIPA Act would probably protect the patient's identity."