If the Republicans were interested in anything except drowning government in the bathtub, going on golf trips, and lecturing other people on values, shit like this wouldn't happen. LA Times:

The new Medicare drug program is denying supplies that seriously ill patients need to administer intravenous antibiotics and other medications at home. As a result, some patients are being referred to nursing homes, and others have had to go into hospitals.

Although no national estimates are available, the number of patients affected — including some with life-threatening diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis — could run into the thousands. One Anaheim pharmacy says 200 of its patients are having trouble.

So, the Republican "plan" gives people the drugs, but not what they need to take the drugs if you're seriously ill. Well, you go to your deathbed with the administration you have, as Rummy would say.

So, is the Republican plan working? That depends on what you mean by work:

Essentially, the prescription program allows coverage of the drugs but does not pay for the medical supplies and nursing help needed for the home infusion treatments to be safe and effective — a policy that effectively shuts down such treatment for some patients, even though it is substantially cheaper than the alternatives. Two GOP senators warned the Medicare agency last fall that the gap in coverage "may limit access to home infusion therapy."

Home infusion pharmacies say they are overwhelmed trying to help patients deal with the problem. "It's like I'm doing triage in a MASH unit," said pharmacist Michael Rigas, vice president for clinical affairs with Crescent Healthcare in Anaheim.

For Kathleen Senna, 68, a retired cannery worker living in West Sacramento, the policy has meant she can't get intravenous medications at home to fight a lung infection. Instead, Senna said, she is taking Cipro, an oral antibiotic that was ineffective for her in the past. Hospital doctors recommended she go into a nursing home for treatment, but Senna said she was afraid.

"You feel like they are putting you in there because they expect you to die," she said. "Me going to a convalescent hospital is going to cost a lot more than bringing antibiotics to my house."

I think Kathleen just has trouble understanding market incentives the way that Republicans do. Sure, she has to experience a little more pain, and the taxpayers have to shell out a few billions, but the nursing homes (i.e., the campaign contributors) definitely benefit! Heck, to them, Kathleen Senna is a cash cow!