There is an epidemic in this country that has the potential to harm more innocent families that any other single issue.  The over use of prescription pain medication is taking directing people into the dark world of illegal drug usage.   Once the prescription medicine becomes harder to get or is too expensive the users drift toward the use of cocaine.  Cocaine has become plentiful, relatively affordable and can be found on the street corner of to many neighborhoods, both poor and wealthy. 

The Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare is coming apart.  The main reason is the excessive costs that have become associated with the plan.  Premiums and deductibles of the various plans make most policies so expensive as to be not affordable for most families in this country.  The very people it was intended to help are the ones that suffer the most.  Doctors are refusing to honor or accept these plans due to red tape and regulations associated with them. 

Our Congress is attempting to convince Americans that healthcare coverage is a right that is to be enjoyed by every citizen.  This is not true.  There is no mention i

There is an epidemic in this country that has the potential to harm more innocent families that any other single issue. The over use of prescription pain medication is taking directing peopleinto the dark world of illegal drug usage. Once the prescription medicine becomes harder to get or is too expensive the usersdrift toward the use of cocaine. Cocaine has become plentiful,relatively affordable and can be found on the street corner of to many neighborhoods, both poor and wealthy.

The Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare is coming apart. The main reasonis the excessive costs that have become associated with the plan. Premiums and deductibles of the various plans make most policies so expensive as to be not affordable for most families in this country. The very people it was intended to help are the ones that suffer the most. Doctors are refusing to honor or accept these plans due to red tape and regulations associated with them.

Our Congress is attempting to convince Americans that healthcare coverage

n the constitution guaranteeing everyone coverage for healthcare benefits.  Healthcare itself must be available to all, but the expense of insurance to cover the care should not be given to other hard working individuals to pay for those that don’t have coverage.  The proliferation of prescription medications has grown into an overwhelming problem. 

In the year 2015, the last year for which statistics are available, show that enough prescriptions were written in this country for every American to have eleven different medications.  One of the reasons the pharmaceutical business has prospered so well is the uncontrolled advertising of medicine on television.  The unknowing public is bombarded with commercials proclaiming to cure every ill that might befall humanity magically and instantly.  One sees the advertising and convinces themselves that this is what is needed and rush to the Dr. to convince him or her to give them a prescription for this healing substance.  Too many doctors give the prescriptions not based on examinations and conclusions but simply due to the fact the patient requested them. 

In 2015 the pharmaceutical industry spent almost five and one-half billion dollars in this country advertising on television.  These companies do not simply absorb this cost.  It is passed on to the buying public with ever higher prices on each prescription filled.  If one is truly concerned about the high price of medical care and related services they can insist congress limit this advertising.  Advertising and marketing can and should be presented to the health care professionals for their education and the determining of what each patient needs. 

We in this country have enjoyed the best health care standards in the world up to this point in our history.  Now, as like other ventures, our government feels that must become involved in a system that works and the ensuing result is and will continue to be more corrupt and non-beneficial than ever before.  Let congress exercise their duty to see that all Americans are given the rights and freedoms that our Constitution has promised.  New rights, such as healthcare coverage for all, cannot just be dreamed up.  There are consequences for every such decision our government makes unless those making the decision exempt themselves.  No one should ever be allowed to be above the law, but at the same time no one should be exempt from a law others must follow. 

The thoughts and ideas expressed above are exclusively those of Jack Straley.  We may agree, and that’s fine, or we may disagree, that’s okay too.  My sole purpose is to encourage others to think, study, and become involved. Exercise your freedom and above all, when presented the opportunity, please vote.