Looking at world statistics, Americans consume 80% of the global supply of pain pills! That’s enough drugs to give every single American 64 Percocets or Vicodin. That’s more than 110 tons of pure, addictive opiates every year. That’s a 600 percent increase in 10 years. Rampant conflicts of interest fuel drug use and deaths.
For instance, under the 2012 PIP reform law, Floridians will no longer be able to seek massage therapy opr primary treatment after a car accident since they will no lover be covered by Florida PIP insurance. This leaves only one option then that insurance will cover….pain pills. The bill was signed into law on May 4, 2012 and is a nauseating example of how financial conflicts of interest drie this health-harming trend since Florida’s governor Rick Scott has more than one link to BIG PHARMA.
How so? In 1997, Scott was implicated in the biggest Medicare fraud case in US history. He stepped down as CEO of Columbia/HCA after the hospital giant was fined 1.7 billion and found guilty of swindling the government! Last year, when he became Florida’s new governor, he initially tried to repeal an anti-fraud database designed to track fraudulent distribution of addicts untie prescription drugs in Florida. Public outcry and picketiing for months finally forced him to announce the database would not be repealed after all.
In 2001, Scott co-founded Solantic, which has 32 walk-in clinics. He remained involved in its operation until 2010 when he placed the $62 million investment into a trust under his wife’s name. The 2012 PIP reform law was strongly promoted by Rick Scott whose changes will undoubtedly benefit his wife’s clinics. Only medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, dentists, physician’s assistants or advanced registered nurse practitioners are approved for PIP reimbursement.
Chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists are specifically excluded leaving accident victims one option for insurance reimbursement……pain killers. However, this may be a call to arms by increasing people’s awareness of paying our of pocket for what they need and want and increasing the chance to take classes on natural pain management such as Touch for Health and all other energy medicine options. Heads up for the “self-responsibility model.” Time to be empowered not depowered!!
