Mayor of Milwaukee Asks Teachers Union to Drop Viagra Lawsuit

A recent lawsuit filled by the Milwaukee teachers union, in which they are requesting their Viagra medical benefits remain in their coverage,  has caught the attention of Milwaukee’s Mayor. Tom Barrett requested the teachers union to withdraw the lawsuit that is asking the states tax payers to front the bill, so teachers can get ED meds like Viagra and Cialis in their medical benefits.

The lawsuit comes at a tough time for the Milwaukee school board. They are facing huge budget cuts and layoffs. If the court rules in favor of the teachers union, then this could amount up to 800,000 dollars that needs to be paid just for buying Viagra and other erectile dysfunctions medications.

Read this story from where it all started:

ARTICLE: Public School in Milwaukee Goes to Court over Viagra for Teachers

Mr. Barrett says he was shocked and very disappointed about such a lawsuit. In this time of need, where Milwaukee is facing budget cuts and layoffs, they should be focusing their attention on other issues and the money involved can be spent on other priorities.

Quote Tom Barrett:

Barrett told Mike Langyel, president of the Milwaukee Teachers' Association

“I believe education dollars should be devoted to enhance performance in the classroom, and I urge you to drop the lawsuit.”

Kris Barrett, the mayor’s wife, has also been laid off by the school due to these cuts. She previously worked at Longfellow school for almost a decade and just recently returned in 2007. A spokesman for Mrs. Barrett says that she would like to return to the school, but this is about the kids, teachers and parents not lawsuits.

The union negotiated Viagra into its teacher’s medical benefits back in 2002. The package includes 6 pills every month. This was all done back in 2002, when erectile dysfunction medications were cheaper than they are know. Over the years prices for ED medications have risen dramatically and the school board proposed eliminating them in 2005.

Edguider Forum: Why is Viagra and the others so Expensive?

The school board claims that the Viagra is used for recreational sex and have confirmed with doctors that it is not a medical necessity. However the Union argues removing Viagra discriminates the schools male employees and these pills are recommended by the American Urological Association.

If the lawsuit is not dropped, as suggesting by Milwaukee’s Mayor, a court ruling may take up to several months.