What's Medicare Spending Money on? Penis Pumps

Everyone wants a little excitement in their old age. There's certainly no doubt about that. Yet a recent expense analysis of the U.S. Government showed that when it comes to "healthcare," some might be a little too concerned about how seniors are performing in the sack. In fact, the analysis showed that a whopping $172 million is being spent on penis pumps, alone.

According to a report by the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Medicare has paid roughly $172.4 million for 474,000 Vacuum Erection Systems from 2006 to 2011 for seniors.

"Medicare payment amounts for VES remain grossly excessive compared with the amounts that non-Medicare payers pay," said the report from December 2013. "Medicare currently pays suppliers more than twice as much for VES as the Department of Veterans Affairs and consumers over the Internet pay for these types of devices."

The report notes that lawmakers are currently working to finalize a $1 trillion spending bill that when passed, will no longer allow grandpa to be exhausting money on enhancement toys.

In an email to Reuters, Heartland Institute's Ben Domenech writes "Considering the strain retiring baby boomers will soon be placing on Medicare's budget,  shouldn't we be focusing this entitlement program on real, life-saving treatment and equipment to serve the health needs of seniors-instead of subsidizing penis pump purchases?"

Of course, we're not saying that everybody shouldn't be able to get a little love. (It's freedom baby, yeah!)

But $172 million worth? Maybe not.

Worse yet, studies show that penis pumps may not even help you get an erection--at least, one that lasts very long. According to Slate.com, via a report from the American Urological Association, here's how it works:  An acrylic tube pumps air into the organ that essentially increases blood flow to erectile tissues. A "constriction ring" is then slid over the organ so that the individual can maintain erection.

However, the article notes that though these devices have proven successful for some, they can also result in significant nerve damage, and may need to be used three to four times a day for up to thirty minutes each time to accomplish results.

Maybe just stick to Viagra?