Time for healthcare changes
I have three new heroes -- Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and John McCain, who, in spite of enormous pressure and even threats, voted not to repeal Obamacare. A vote for people over party. What courage.
It's time to reform healthcare. Americans have the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Time to send the paid lobbyists packing or at least limit their influence.
Time to open our pharmaceutical market to Canada. Time to hold Big Pharma accountable not only for outrageous drug prices, but also for the opioid epidemic they have created by not making doctors aware of the addictiveness of certain drugs -- an epidemic which has reached into homes all across America. Time to stop financing saturation ads on television for the latest "miracle" drug.
Time to tell insurance companies that CEO salaries as high as $41 million (Aetna) are unacceptable. And time to ensure that the price of medical supplies and equipment are not being boosted beyond all reason.
Healthcare isn't just another commodity like cars, computers, or cosmetics. Healthcare is about life and quality of life -- two things that shouldn't be for sale to the highest bidder. If we can take corporate greed out of the picture, we can have affordable healthcare.
We may honestly disagree on any number of things, but surely not on this.
Peggy Jo Averso
Bella Vista
Editorial on 08/09/2017