Recent data shows significant frustration among Americans regarding the high cost of healthcare.
According to a 2023 Harris Poll survey, more than 70% of U.S. adults feel the healthcare system
fails them in some way, with cost being the most common criticism.
Additionally, a 2022 Associated Press-NORC poll found that over 70% of Americans believe the
U.S. is not handling the cost of prescription drugs or mental health care well, and over 50% say
the country does not handle healthcare well in general. A 2024 West Health-Gallup survey
reported that 94% of Americans believe they or others are paying too much for healthcare and
not getting their money’s worth.
- https://time.com/6279937/us-health-care-system-attitudes/
- https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2022/09/14/american-healthcare
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/health-care-almost-half-of-americans-struggle-to-afford
- medical-care/
While these surveys don’t always use the exact term “frustrated,” the sentiment of dissatisfaction
with high costs is clear, with cost-related concerns consistently affecting a majority—often 70%
or more—of the population across various studies.
Speaking of industries that could use a little divine oversight, here’s a gem: a pharmacy benefit
manager CEO, an insurance company CEO, a drug manufacturer CEO, and a hospital
administrator all stroll into a church, supposedly to confess their sins—or maybe just to cut a
deal with the Big Guy upstairs.
The priest spots them and raises an eyebrow. “What’s this? A healthcare convention? You guys
here to turn the sermon into a billing code?”
The PBM CEO smirks and leans over. “Nah, Father, I got you. I’ll handle the hymn prices—
knock down the cost of those oldies, but I’m keeping a fat rebate for the choir.”
The insurance CEO jumps in, flipping through a policy binder. “I’ll cover the first verse, 80%
after deductible. Second verse? Denied—needs pre-auth. And the chorus? Totally experimental,
not in my formulary.”
The drug manufacturer CEO flashes a grin. “Chill, I’m donating the collection plate. But heads
up: it’s $500 a prayer, patented for eternity. Want a generic? Talk to me in 2035 after a 600%
price bump.”
The hospital admin chimes in, clipboard in hand. “I’m running the pews—$10,000 a seat, per
hour, non-negotiable. Oh, and that holy water? It’s now a $2,000 ‘hydration therapy’ charge.”
The priest just shakes his head and mutters, “Lord, forgive ‘em—they know exactly what they’re
doing… and they’ve got the invoices to prove it.”
Holistic Health Tips for Chronic Condition Management
Managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension requires a multifaceted approach,
blending medication with lifestyle changes to reduce reliance on drugs and improve quality of
life. Healthy eating, such as low-sodium diets rich in fruits and vegetables, combined with 150
minutes of weekly exercise, can lower blood pressure and stabilize blood sugar. These tips
emphasize prevention and delaying complications through balanced habits.
Stress management via mindfulness and adequate sleep enhances outcomes, while anti
inflammatory foods mitigate inflammation in conditions like hypertension. Pairing this with
prescription options from savings programs ensures affordability, allowing focus on wellness
rather than costs.
In 2025, holistic strategies like personalized diets and activity plans will empower patients,
reducing healthcare burdens and fostering long-term control.
What does the (FDA) Food & Drug Administration say about Over-The-Counter (OTC)
Heartburn Treatment?
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Heartburn Treatment | FDA
What is heartburn?
Heartburn occurs when stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus—the muscular tube
that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. Also called acid indigestion, heartburn is an uncomfortable, burning feeling in the mid-chest, behind the breastbone, or in the
upper part of the abdomen—the area between the chest and the hips. This feeling occurs because
the stomach’s digestive juices contain acid. Sometimes people with this problem can taste food
or acidic fluid in the back of the mouth.
What are my OTC treatment options?
There are three classes of OTC medications for the treatment of heartburn:
Antacids
Antacids relieve heartburn (indigestion). They work by changing the stomach acid that causes
heartburn. Common OTC antacids include:
- Mylanta
- Rolaids
- Tums
Histamine-2 (H2) blockers
H2 blockers relieve and prevent heartburn and work by reducing the amount of acid produced by
the stomach. Typically, they start to work within one to three hours and provide acid-suppression
for several hours. Because acid reducers may interact with certain other medicines, ask your
doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug. Common OTC H2
blockers include:
- Tagamet HB (cimetidine)
- Pepcid Complete or Pepcid AC (famotidine)
- Axid AR (nizatidine)
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
OTC PPIs treat frequent heartburn (occurs 2 or more days a week) and are not intended for
immediate relief of heartburn, as they may take one to four days for full effect. In contrast,
prescription PPIs are used to treat conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),
stomach and small intestine ulcers, and inflammation of the esophagus. PPIs work by reducing
the amount of acid produced by the stomach. Because acid reducers may interact with certain
other medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription
drug. OTC PPIs are only intended for a 14-day course of treatment and can be used up to three
times per year.
- Prevacid 24HR (lansoprazole)
- Nexium 24HR (esomeprazole)
- Prilosec OTC (omeprazole magnesium)
- Zegerid OTC (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate)
How do I use these drugs safely and effectively?
- Read the label.
- Do not take more than directed or use for longer than directed on the label.
- If your heartburn symptoms persist even after taking these drugs, then talk to a health
care professional.
- If your heartburn symptoms persist even after taking these drugs, then talk to a health
More Safety Information
Antacids
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
General
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and
Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone
(1-800-332-1088).
More Consumer Information
Antacids
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
H2-Blockers
Regulatory Information
Comparing Savings Programs
Prescription programs have proliferated to combat rising drug costs, with options like GoodRx,
SingleCare, Blink Health, and BuzzRx, offering discounts that can slash prices by up to 80%.
However, not all programs are equal; while discount cards provide quick coupons,
comprehensive savings programs deliver more stable pricing and broader coverage.
TotalRx.net stands out as a non-insurance solution with an unlimited formulary, outperforming
competitors in consistency and eligible medications, especially for high-cost drugs. In 2025
comparisons, users report better overall value from programs emphasizing network rates over
one-off coupons.
- When pitted against GoodRx, which excels in price comparison tools but may vary by
pharmacy, TotalRx.net offers superior stability without deductibles, often beating
GoodRx Gold’s enhanced savings for generic and brand-name meds.
- When pitted against GoodRx, which excels in price comparison tools but may vary by
- SingleCare provides telemedicine perks, yet TotalRx.net’s advocacy for specialty drugs
and 340B access yields deeper discounts, averaging higher than Blink Health’s
straightforward coupons.
- SingleCare provides telemedicine perks, yet TotalRx.net’s advocacy for specialty drugs
- Switching tips include checking formularies and using online tools to verify pharmacy
acceptance, ensuring seamless transitions for maximum benefits.
- Switching tips include checking formularies and using online tools to verify pharmacy
- Ultimately, TotalRx.net’s edge lies in its comprehensive approach, delivering proven
savings that surpass leading discount programs, making it ideal for long-term
affordability in 2025’s volatile market.
- Ultimately, TotalRx.net’s edge lies in its comprehensive approach, delivering proven
As healthcare costs rise, choosing a program with consultation services and patient advocacy can
mean the difference between sporadic deals and sustained financial relief.
