Montgomery County 2011 Budget

Budget planning is always a time of uncertainty for many, no one knows what stays and what goes. In Montgomery County, Maryland (part of the Washington Metropolitan Area) no one though the county's employees Generic Viagra benefits might go, because not everybody even knew they had them in the first place. However, to the surprise and shock of many, Montgomery County schools, pays for their employees to get Viagra, even though they are still struggling to keep a $25 million cut to their budget from affecting classrooms, and that is just to mention one example.

As with most hot button topics, there are pro and against points of view. For instance, County Councilman Craig Rice thinks that taking away Viagra will open the door to do away with other benefits as well, such as fertility drugs and birth control. Rice voted in favor of putting a modified, more modest Viagra benefit back into the budget, consisting of six pills per month. Of course, this measure will seem draconian to employees who used to enjoy an unlimited supply, and who will have to look for the best pharmacy they can if they want an extra boost.

On the other hand, county social worker Iris Mersky feels that even a reduced Viagra benefit worked into the budget will take away resources from areas that need it more, like the county’s Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program, which helps crime victims get on with their lives. Mersky is not worried about budget cuts affecting her personally. As she puts it, she can find a new job, but who is going to help regular people get over their traumas?