Ways we can protect some hard won freedoms

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Memorial day rightfully honors those who died fighting for our free country. But, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” as Thomas Jefferson said in the 1800’s. That is still true today and we all have a role to play in preserving what they paid the ultimate price for. Even in the health world, if we assume someone else is looking out for us we might be in for an unpleasant surprise. That is because bit by bit our freedom to choose the type of healthcare we want can be nibbled away by legislation and regulation. The Food and Drug Administration has shown a clear bias in favor of pharmaceuticals and mainstream medicine over natural approaches. The pharmaceutical industry and medical trade associations lobby very hard to denigrate natural therapies such as supplements, homeopathy and herbs. They have an obvious vested interest in maintaining the status quo. (It is a perversion of the Golden Rule…he who has the gold makes the rules.) Here are some examples of current issues and easy steps that can make a difference:

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Shouldn’t we be able to use these accounts on whatever methods and materials we think will do the most good for our health? And there are lots of studies showing how much money can be saved on healthcare with prudent use of supplements. Tell your Senators and Representative to support legislation which would allow Americans to use their HAS and FSA dollars on dietary supplements. (Next we should ask to make supplements tax deductible—costs of medicine for disease are.) LEARN MORE & TAKE ACTION

Government subsidies for the needy. I think it is simply insane that benefits OF SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which used to be called Food Stamps) can be used to pay for soda pop and candy but a hot rotisserie chicken or multivitamins. Hopefully, that will be addressed soon, but there is already a similar program that we can weigh in on. Tell your Senators and Representative to support legislation that directs the USDA to consider making multivitamins eligible for purchase under the WIC program (for Women, Infants and Children). LEARN MORE & TAKE ACTION

Military access to supplements. There is a move afoot to add regulations that will make supplements harder for military personnel to buy in government stores. Tell your Senators to vote NO on any dietary supplement specific amendments to the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. LEARN MORE & TAKE ACTION

The biggest problem may just be ignorance. The drug companies, the medical establishment and insurance companies can well afford to make sure that Congress knows their story and concerns. However, consumers, nutritionists, researchers and supplement makers do not have that kind of access to showcase the value of nutritional supplements. Senators and Representative can become better informed if they join the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus. LEARN MORE & TAKE ACTION

STATES CAN BE A PROBLEM TOO           

In Massachusetts there is an assault on supplements. If you live in MA, tell your State Legislators to OPPOSE H.3471. LEARN MORE & TAKE ACTION

Puerto Rico aims to suppress supplements with regulation and fees. (It seems to be mainly a money grab.) If you live there, tell your representative that any legislation addressing Puerto Rico’s debt crisis MUST include language striking Administrative Order No. 346. LEARN MORE & TAKE ACTION

Best wishes for a safe, fun and meaningful Memorial Day.



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