A Note to DePasquale on Prescription for PA

Prescription for Pennsylvania

Nothing wrong with attacking infections although I don't know why in gods name this has to be something that is done by our state legislature. Seems like common sense medicine to me. The mere fact that it requires some type of legislation tells me that something is seriously wrong in the medical profession.

Doctors these days are less qualified than those of my childhood days. I went to five doctors and the ER 3 times before I was finally diagnosed with appendicitis - months of suffering with terrible stomach pain, chills and a loss of 50+ pounds. I could hardly get out of bed most days and they kept telling me it was Irritable Bowel. Even with all the advancements in lab and radiological testing they can't diagnose a simple case of appendicitis.

The problem seems to be very similar to the children that grew up with calculators. If a machine doesn't tell them how much change to give they don't have a clue. Our doctors have fallen into this same crisis where they can't diagnose without a confirmation lab test and since they often err on ordering only common tests based on age, medical history and commonality of disease, etc they can't diagnose and often chalk up problems to anxiety and/or depression. Which tells me they can't even differentiate between emotional and physical problems.

The other problem that currently is plaguing the medical profession is the rush to dispense whatever is being advertised on TV (pushed by the drug companies). I cannot tell you how many medications have been recalled in recent years due to people suffering from irreversible complications. Arthyritis drugs, stents, and many others with Advandia, a diabetes drug, now coming under fire for problems. They can't even agree on what is healthy for us to eat without recanting what was in vogue last year.

The last thing we need to do is expand health care to even lesser qualified individuals. This is a bad idea for all Pennsylvanians -- VOTE NO!!!

NCPSSM: Medicare Advantage Overpayments

NCPSSM: Medicare This is an update on the continuing effort by NCPSSM to protect the Medicare system from becoming insolvent.

Lock Box Government Taxation

House Democratic proposal would fix roads, bridges and transit Although I'm not sure if this is the right action to take to repair PA's crumbling infrastructure I did want to suggest that all money coming from taxes should be EARMARKED instead of going into the slush fund commonly referred to as the "General Fund".

Any fund which allows legislative digression over our tax money is bound to be mis-spent. I hereby suggest that every dollar of tax money should be itemized at the point of collection to identify it's future disposition. For example our paycheck should show exactly how many dollars are going to education, health care, infrastructure, etc. The money should be placed into "lock boxes" preventing the funds from instituting any new programs. If a new program is to be funded it would require a unique tax to support it which must be identified at point of collection.

NCPSSM: Medicare Part D

NCPSSM: Medicare Yet another important document concerning the cost and benefit of Medicare Part D.

NCPSSM: Medicare

NCPSSM: Medicare This is a very important review of the movement away from traditional Medicare into the private insurance industry and should be read by all American Citizens.

Congressman Todd Russell Platts & Medicare

I would like you to support Representative Stark's bill requiring that all Medicare Advantage Plans provide a base coverage that is not less than the original Medicare coverage without additional costs.

I cannot begin to tell you how confusing purchasing health care has become. Plan comparisons are almost impossible because each provider not only offers multiple plans but they don't list and in reality and can't list every co-pay for every lab test or procedure. And even though I feel I purchased a good plan I never know what my out-of-pocket expenses will be for lab tests or procedures and it wouldn't be a relevant factor for choosing health care because you never know what test or procedure you may need.

I'm even going to go further and suggest that you support a single payer system. It's time to get the profit out of health care insurance which runs about 40% of the price being charged.

I would also like to have a list of the health care lobbyist that provide financial support for you and the amounts they contribute.

2008 PA Budget

Dear Representative DePasquale,

It's time for the state to stop funding new programs. Energy will take care of it's self as alternatives become financial feasible. The states primary funding goal should be to move towards funding education to the same percentage of the budget as it use to. That would be the biggest impact on reducing property taxes. It's the addition of all these other programs that have eroded the funding of education and it must STOP!