Well, I thought I had seen it all:
Lifestyle drugs — chiefly Viagra — are costing General Motors $17 million dollars a year and the cost is passed along to car, truck and SUV consumers. The blue pill is covered under GM’s labor agreement with United Auto Workers, as well as benefit plans for salaried employees. GM executives estimate health care adds $1,500 to the price of each vehicle but they do not break out how much of the premium is caused by erectile dysfunction expenses. GM provides health care for 1.1 million employees, retirees and dependents and is the world’s largest private purchaser of Viagra. GM recently raised the co-pay for erectile dysfunction drugs to $18 under a new agreement with the UAW and the company has also pared benefits for salaried workers. Given the large number of aging autoworkers in the U.S., the industrys Viagra tab and bill for other erectile dysfunction drugs is certain to continue rising. Neither Ford nor Chrysler will disclose the amount spent on erectile dysfunction drugs.
Is this a technical sell signal?
November 20th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Viagra is not a covered medicine for GM salaried employees. The user must pay the full cost.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
There is no reason on earth for this kind of coverage. It is optional (just like cosmetic surgery) and should absolutely not be covered. If someone wants Viagra, let them pay for it personally.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
GM seems to be pretty hard up for cash these days!!!
November 20th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
what’s your source jim?
November 20th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Source - Medco Health Prescription Benefit Guide for GM Salaried Employees