Medical care is now taking a turn and becoming more market oriented. Some Pennsylvania hospitals are starting to guarantee surgeries in their hospitals. That means that the hospital pays for further problems after surgeries. Mystery shopping services are also springing up that rate the care received at hospitals. They are rated just like any other retail business. People under 30 overwhelmingly want monopoly government health care because of the hardships they have had to endure in the medical industry today. Clark thinks that this is hard to stomach though and that the private system works best. Frustration with medical care, especially with health insurance. The state of Massachusetts actually requires individuals to have health care. If you want a more dysfunctional system, let the government run it.

Clark has picked on dietary supplements and herbal remedies for about 10 years because of the risks involved. He doesn’t like the idea of companies being able to make virtually any claim about their products, many of which aren’t true. Congress made a decision in 1994 saying that herbal remedy companies could say anything they wanted without penalty. And many consumers have been injured or died from using these substances. So, what about homeopathic medicines? You may have seen the recent 20/20 piece on homeopathic medicines and doctors, who believe that they can cure you or treat you with more natural substances. Unlike the herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines are given in very small doses with very specific directions. The 20/20 piece claimed that these medicines don’t work, and the show cited several sources. But apparently, people weren’t affected by that piece. People are spending nearly a half a billion dollars a year on these remedies and the sales are showing no signs of slowing. It’s basically faith overcoming science. Clark has heard that these substances are not harmful at all, which is good. But people in the research were given placebos, thinking they’re were taking some homeopathic remedy. So, Clark wants you to know that you may be getting duped. These products can’t cure cancer or any other disease, so don’t buy into it.

Over the years, Clark has had many heated discussions with callers and even with members of the staff about the advantages and disadvantages of natural remedies and vitamins. But a new report from Johns Hopkins University is showing that taking certain vitamins is good for us. Taking Vitamin C and Vitamin E in normal doses, for example, can help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. But we must remember not to overdo it. One multi-vitamin a day is all you need. The problem is that people think if they take more of certain vitamins it will help. Taking more of the recommended doses can cause heart problems, gastrointestinal problems and more. Clark has also been concerned about people who take herbal remedies in excess. Ephedra has been banned, but not before many people died from using it. Now, the FDA is looking at a list of remedies it may ban over the next weeks and months. This is a serious shift in policy because Congress passed a law in 1995 saying that herbal remedy companies were free to sell whatever they wanted in the marketplace and to say whatever they’d like about their products. It’s true that our body needs vitamins. But some people are taking too much of a good thing, so be careful.