Are we seniors so complacent about our government-run health care plan (Medicare) that we can be seduced into believing that we have the best health care in the world? Health insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies are spending millions in advertising and lobbying our legislators as to how wonderful our present health care system is: Really? A Harvard study released in September reports that 45,000 Americans die each year because of lack of insurance. Let's put that in perspective. On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists killed 3,000 Americans. That was truly a horrific act and we have spent billions since in wars and prevention. ...more

December 21, 2009

Pharmaceutical companies and every other special interest group-industry do indeed have a strong grip on our elected representatives (editorial of Dec. 10.) The people's business doesn't get done because of the need for elected officials to constantly raise money to afford to run for re-election. Money comes from drug, oil, dairy, financial, meat and virtually every industry in the country as well as some outside the country to buy the votes of the peoples' representatives. In our system, voting out the incumbents simply replaces them with other special interest agents. ...more

December 14, 2009

Thanks to 220 courageous U.S. representatives who voted yes, we now have a chance for health care reform. ...more

November 17, 2009

I have been on Social Security and Medicare for quite a few years now, and I can't see anything wrong with it as it is. So, why don't they leave it alone as it is and stop all of this hoopla about changing it? I had four stitches in my finger, 20 staples put in the back of my head, a trip to a heart doctor, etc., and they took care of me just fine. ...more

November 10, 2009

Last year, pharmaceutical companies spent more than $4 billion urging patients like you to "ask your doctor" about their drugs. But if you want a prescription that won't empty your wallet, while still keeping you well, you might start asking your doctor about drugs you don't see on TV. ...more

November 8, 2009

Q. As a health care worker in a small office in Pasco County, where and when can our staff receive H1N1 vaccine? ...more

October 27, 2009

As people are once again learning, producing vaccines against influenza viruses is not an easy thing. Back in 2004, many will recall, there was a shortage of vaccine for what we have come to call the "seasonal" flu. One of only two pharmaceutical companies still making vaccine at the time had to shut down its production facility in England because of contamination problems. ...more

October 27, 2009

Let Medicare Negotiate I keep my Medicare policy, plus my supplementary insurance policy, because I know that if I get cancer or another major disease, Medicare will not call me in the middle of the treatment to tell me my benefits have expired. HMOs are for-profit businesses whose main concern is profit, which means spending as little money as possible for clients. ...more

March 23, 2009

Whenever a top pharmaceutical company eliminates thousands of jobs, it leads to worry and caution from the medical community. ...more

January 23, 2009

As I write today, I am in tears! ...more

December 18, 2008