Florida doctors accept gifts | March 18
Patients are left picking up the tab
This article notes that the prescribing habits of some doctors may be influenced by accepting freebies or payments from drug company representatives. In many cases, less expensive medicines could do as well but aren't used because of the doctor's "brand loyalty," which works to the financial detriment of the patient and/or the insurance company.
Medical professionals are quoted as saying that some doctors believe that generic drugs are not always as effective as brand-name counterparts. This has been proven false time after time. The Food and Drug Administration oversees and licenses all prescription drugs, brand-name or generic.
Another argument is that drug companies' reps play an important role in educating physicians about what is available. But why then the "freebies and payments" sometimes totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars? Is this buying influence? And why can't doctors inform themselves as to drugs and treatments available? Other nonmedical professionals keep up on their own.
What the article didn't mention is that these doctor "freebies" are a manufacturer expense added to the already high cost of the drugs — paid by us outright or in the form of higher co-pays and insurance premiums.
Anthony Comitos, Palm Harbor
Anti-Trump forces plot a plan | March 20
Unite top two vote-getters
The Republican Party's campaign to stop Donald Trump campaign has reached a fever pitch in Washington and on news outlets. The probability has increased that the delegate count will not only favor Trump but be enough to win the nomination outright.
The Republican establishment is pulling out all the stops to avoid the seemingly inevitable, but it should know that Trump is aware of these efforts. He has taken down the best the Republican Party has thrown at him. What makes them think he'll go quietly?
Before they try to wrest the nomination from Trump, maybe the Republican leadership should consider other options. A simple answer to the stop Trump movement is a pact with Ted Cruz. Trump could offer Cruz the vice presidential slot. Cruz is a young man and could run for the top of the ticket in later elections. This would satisfy a majority of the primary voters, consolidating the power of the first- and second-place vote-getters.
The Republican establishment should not tread on the will of the people.
Jay Yardley, St. Petersburg
Bullying tactics
Donald Trump declares he should be the GOP nominee even if he doesn't receive the required 1,237 delegates. He also declares there will be riots if he isn't the nominee.
I declare he's a sophomoric bully who thinks the rules don't apply to him. And he's counting on other sophomoric fools to buy his act.
Carol Bailey, Clearwater
Which is the best option?
A question for the Republican Party establishment: Because neither are under your control, whom do you fear the most: Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump?
Doug Hicks, Tampa
Cuts would disrupt seniors' care March 18, letter
For Medicare equity
How does the letter writer propose to make the use of Medicare funds more equitable for me? I use traditional Medicare, so my coverage uses less funds per year than a person getting Medicare Advantage. I also do not have the vision, hearing and dental benefits that Medicare Advantage users do. My understanding is that the cuts to Medicare Advantage are to bring that coverage more in line with the funding we have in traditional Medicare.
I have to provide my own funding for vision, hearing and dental, so I have no sympathy for those who use Medicare Advantage having to do the same. My Social Security money goes the same distance as their Social Security money. I paid in the same money to Medicare when I worked as they did. It is time for all Medicare recipients to receive the same benefits.
Esther Kirk, Riverview
Shape of reality | March 18
Pier needs artificial reef
The city planners have wisely chosen to retain the fishing deck in the revised St. Petersburg pier design. Now they need to add some artificial reef structures adjacent to the fishing deck. Pinellas County has the largest artificial reef system in the state, but all but one of those artificial reefs can be accessed only by boat. The exception is Pier 60 in Clearwater.
The use of one type of artificial reef unit, called reef balls, would greatly increase the fish population around the pier. In addition, the algae and benthic filter feeders would increase the production of the Tampa Bay estuary.
Heyward Mathews, Clearwater