The Ultimate Catch-22

Walmart and Walgreens will provide free medication for anyone showing up with a prescription if they can prove they signed up for ObamaCare but are pending approval due to the government's inefficiency.

Of course, the catch is in the deal: one has to have a prescription. And, of course, without insurance, even if it's pending, most folks, to get that prescription, will have to pay for the doctor's visit with one's own money.

From a Drudge Report link, Breitbart is reporting:

Walgreens' and Walmart's pharmacies announced this month that they will help with the botched Obamacare rollout by providing free prescriptions to customers whose insurance coverage is pending.

The move, while well-intentioned, only helps those possessing a prescription, leaving anyone still seeking a doctor’s assistance stranded. The policies of both corporations this month were simple: those who can prove they signed up for Obamacare through HealthCare.gov and have a prescription can file it for free, even as they are not yet covered because of the system's inefficiency.

The problem is that to have a prescription, patients must go to a doctor, and their pending insurance applications mean they will have to either handle the full cost of a visit themselves. If they wait until their application is no longer pending, they are not eligible to receive the benefits from the pharmacies’ programs.

Walgreens was the first pharmacy service to announce that they would pitch in. Speaking to Breitbart News, a spokesperson for Walgreens confirmed that the corporation unilaterally made the decision to enact the temporary policy, but when asked whether they were in communication with the government responded that the corporation intends to be "in consistent and frequent communication with various groups... we are working with them to flag any systematic issues that we may see."

The relationship between Walmart and the Obama White House is more complicated. Walmart's spokesperson would not provide any specifics regarding whether there were discussions between public and private leaders on the matter, and the history between the two sides shows neither clear loyalty nor antagonism.

President Obama has appointed Walmart leaders to various positions of power. The company—a major seller of guns in some parts of the United States—has joined with the NRA to negotiate safer gun sales with the administration as well. Because both Walmart and Walgreens have stated they will help customers with figuring out whether their registrations are processing and with any questions they may have about the federal program, it seems impossible that the avenues of communication are closed.

Take two aspirin and call your US representative in the morning.