Page 9 - Full Magazine

RECYCLABLES

tightening up their own rules about what
kinds of waste they are willing to accept.
These changes have put some U.S.-based
recyclers out of business, but it may have
Dear EarthTalk: Since China stopped strengthened those left standing, since they
accepting American recyclables for have been forced to find new ways of
processing in 2017, is it still worthwhile for dealing with the waste streams they are
us to even bother recycling here in the U.S.? responsible for collecting and processing.
— Jim M., Norfolk, VA Instead of shipping it all off, they are
The short answer is yes, it’s still recycling as much as possible themselves.
worthwhile for us to recycle, even if it’s not While China’s “National Sword” program
as easy and more expensive than it used to may have been a headshot to the American
be—especially when you consider the costly waste industry, the result might just be a
and environmentally dubious alternative of greener, cleaner, more self-sufficient
creating new products out of all-virgin United States.
materials. That said, China’s decision to stop American consumers and businesses can
accepting most recyclables from other help bolster recycling efforts by sorting
countries beginning in January 2018 did send waste appropriately—don’t mix soiled
Diabetes Medication
Diabetes Medication
Diabetes Medication
Diabetes Medication
shockwaves around the world. For the food containers in with recyclables, keep Diabetes Medication
previous 25 years, China was gladly non-recyclable plastics out of the blue bins,
importing more than half of the world’s etc.—and encouraging friends and Attention Diabetics! New Drug Plan
plastic garbage for reprocessing into new neighbors to do the same so that more of Program Lowers Cost of Lantus for as formularies in order to meet all health
products. what we do discard can live another day little as $6.00 - $11.00 needs and budgets. On our Cigna-
and provide other consumers with a guilt- HealthSpring Rx Secure-Extra plan,
It seemed like a win-win situation, but the free way to enjoy whatever came in that which is available nationally, this drug
Chinese started to tire of dealing with a plastic bottle or cardboard box. Increased Congressional scrutiny of (Lantus Solostar Inj 100.ml) is available
drug pricing practices, particularly for the
deluge of soiled recyclables from abroad. pricing of insulin, appears to be for as low as a $6 copay as long as
Also, years of economic growth and rising CONTACTS: “After China’s import ban, prompting some insurers to lower the cost
consumption means the Chinese are now where to with the world’s waste?” of insulin on which so many diabetics customers use a preferred pharmacy and
producing plenty of waste on their own; they dw.com/en/after-chinas-import-ban- depend to control their blood sugar. In they are not in the donut hole or
no longer need to rely on waste imports to where-to-with-the-worlds-waste/a- April of this year, Cigna and Express catastrophic phase. The cost-share is more
keep their recycling plants humming. It’s for 48213871; World Bank’s “What a Waste 2.0: Scripts announced one such plan to reduce for customers in most of our other plans,
these reasons that the Chinese government A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste out-of-pocket costs for insulin for some including our MAPD (Medicare
invoked its “National Sword” policy, banning Management to 2050,” customers. Advantage Prescription Drug) plans.
the import of 24 types of solid waste and openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/ In comparing frequently prescribed Unlike some senior advocacy
setting a much tougher standard for 10986/30317. drugs for The Senior Citizen League’s
contamination levels on the recyclables it groups, TSCL does NOT receive any
would accept. Waste handlers in the U.S. and EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer (TSCL) 2019 drug price comparison report, income from drug makers. If you are
other developed countries where landfill & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit we found a new drug plan pricing a diabetic and take Lantus Solostar,
space is short were left in the lurch and forced EarthTalk. To read more, check out https:/ program with estimated co-pays for we strongly recommend that you get
to rethink how to move much of their /emagazine.com. To donate, visit https:// Lantus Solostar so low, that it help and compare ALL of your drug
“feedstock” along now that China is no earthtalk.org. Send questions to: prompted Advisor editor, Mary Johnson, to plan options during the upcoming
longer willing to take it. question@earthtalk.org. contact the drug plan to confirm accuracy. Medicare fall Open Enrollment
Here’s why. Last year, the lowest cost period that starts October 15 and
th
In the meantime, a few Southeast Asian Medication Part D
Medication Part D
Medication Part D
Medication Part D
th,
countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Medication Part D drug plan charged about $80 for 100/ML ends on December 7 to learn if the
Drug Plans
Indonesia and India) stepped up to fill the Drug Plans of Lantus Solostar. This year, the lowest Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure plan
Drug Plans
Drug Plans
Drug Plans
void by taking larger loads of our waste. But cost plan Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure — can lower your drug costs. While co-
poorly run waste management practices and Part D plan changes become effective Extra Part D plan charges copays as low as pays may change for 2019, it’s worth
lack of government oversight lead to on January 1, 2020. You can get top- $6.00 - $11.00 for Lantus Solostar. The the effort since other plans still
conditions where only about 10 percent of notch free one-on-one counseling and highest cost plan, which does not cover
potentially recyclable waste sent to these help to switch to better drug plans charge higher co-pays.
countries gets recycled. According to a recent Lantus, charges the full price, $383.18 per REMINDER: Original Medicare
World Bank report, much of what doesn’t get through your state health insurance 100/ML. coupled with a Part D Prescription
recycled ends up in “unregulated dumps or is assistance program, many of which Jennifer Luddy, Director of External Drug plan is an appropriate solution.
openly burned…[creating] serious health, operate through Area Agencies on Affairs for Cigna replied to our inquiry Another option could be a Medicare
safety and environmental consequences.” But Aging. saying: Cigna Medicare PDP has a number of Advantage Plan which is considered
more recently, many of these countries are Local program contact info can be different Prescription Drug Plan offerings with Part C and normally includes Part D
now following in China’s footsteps by found at https://www.shiptacenter.org. different premiums, deductibles and coverage. Important to check
formulary to confirm your meds.
UBMISSION R REQUESTSEQUESTS FORFOR 2019/2020 S 2019/2020 SENIORSENIORS
UBMISSION REQUESTS FOR 2019/2020 SENIORS
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November 2019 9