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When I started my current job 12 years ago, insurance cost $4500 per year for my whole family.  This year it costs 14,000.  That's crazy!

My policy includes prescription drug benefits that we hardly use. Many have said that's part of why the price is so high. 

**But here's one issue that I haven't heard people talking about:  How much of the cost increase is directly related to prescription drug advertising?  We are inundated with drug ads on TV.  That's got to cost a lot!  A nurse practitioner I know says that more and more people come in asking for a particular drug they've seen on TV.  Maybe they need it but maybe they don't.  If we get health care for all, and I hope we do, what regulations can be enforced to keep these ads and their high costs from polluting our new system.

We don't advertise hard alcohol on TV anymore so why do we allow prescription drugs?

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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