Let's fight against obesity and diabetes, by taking the corn syrup out of a lunch that some children eat ever day!

Following the detainment of former Marine Brandon J. Raub, and the recent shootings across the country by various people of unknown mental health conditions, We the People need to petition Congress to draft legislation that will drastically improve access to mental healthcare in our country--right now, helping to PREVENT such tragedies.

This petition is for the people out there who have Celiac, gluten intolerance, or just want to live a healthier life. I believe that all foods that state gluten free on their packaging should be made to have it Certified. This would be for the safety of the consumers. If you have celiac disease, this is a huge concern when these companies "sneak" in gluten in their products as this can raise your cancer risk to 700 percent!

The reason for my letter is to try and reform how autism is managed on a state and federal level. Autism is a brain disorder that often makes it hard to communicate with and relate to others. With autism, the different areas of the brain fail to work together. This can cause certain individuals to need lifelong care and therapies to be able to function in their daily lives. Autism affects 1 out of 88 children in the United States and even more so in boys, with a ratio of 1 out of 54. These children are born with this disability and spend their lifetime trying to progress from it. All need help in terms of speech and occupational therapies to help them adapt, learn, cope, and function. The problem is that autism and the therapies that are needed for this disability are not covered by health insurance companies in a way that can effectively help the children it affects. For example, my insurance at work only provides ten (10) visits per year for therapies. My son needs to go to two (2) therapists at least once a week. I would then have to pay out of pocket for the rest of those visits. Per the federal guidelines, as they exist today, a child that is autistic qualifies for SSI as well as Medicaid if, and only if, the following is met: - For a single parent income must be less than $2000/month - For a married couple income must be less than $3000/month - These figures are before taxes are taken out. - For a single parent income must be less than $1000/month to qualify for food assistance.

The reason for my letter is to try and reform how Autism is managed on a state and federal level. Autism is a brain disorder that often makes it hard to communicate with and relate to others. With autism, the different areas of the brain fail to work together. This can cause certain individuals to need lifelong care and therapies to be able to function in their daily lives. Autism affects 1 out of 88 Children in the United States and even more so in Boys, with a ratio of 1 out of 54. These children are born with this disability and spend their lifetime trying to progress from it. All need help in terms of speech and occupational therapies to help them adapt, learn, cope, and function. The problem is that Autism and the therapies that are needed for this disability are not covered by health insurance companies in a way that can effectively help the children it affects. For example, my insurance at work only provides ten (10) visits per year for therapies. My son needs to go to two (2) therapists at least once a week. I would then have to pay out of pocket for the rest of those visits. Per the Federal guidelines, as they exist today, a child that is Autistic qualifies for SSI as well as Medicaid if , and only if, the following is met: - For a single parent income must be less than $2000/month - For a married couple income must be less than $3000/month - These figures are BEFORE taxes are taken out. - For a single parent income must be less than $1000/month to qualify for food assistance

The Republicans are telling lies about the Affordable Care Act, which they coin "Obama Care". They tout it as a jobs killer and that it will substantially add to the federal debt. The truth is that this act has saved children's lives (insurance companies can't deny coverage for pre-exisitng conditions, and will expand this to adults in 2014), provided free needed medical services, including birth control and mammograms for women, allows your kid up to age 25 to be covered on your policy, and demands that health insurance companies return 80% of customers' paid premiums on actual health care services incurred. It promotes competition among insurance companies and hospitals so that your health care bills stop skyrocketing.This is just a partial list. Check out the Affordable Care Act provisions for yourself on line.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act specifically with the individual mandate being "consititutional". The "Medicare" portion of the bill was left up the the individual states as to whether those Governor's will enact that portion. I am disabled and uninsured. I live in a state where my GOP Governor has emphatically stated he will not spend 1 dime to enact Medicare.

With our Congressional leaders examining "We The People", entitlements,in this hardship economy , let us carefully examine their outlandish benefits...and make adjustments. Let our leaders have the same healthcare benefits as "We". Let them have the same Social Security benefits as us, not an inflated Retirement Program.

Unwanted medications are difficult to get rid of. They can't be thrown in the garbage or dumped down the drain, because they harm the water supply and landfills with toxic elements. Hazardous waste disposal sites are inconvenient and unaccessable for many people. I know I frequently have expired cold medicInes and out dated prescriptions. A law needs to be created that makes all pharmacies have a free drop off for unwanted medications. It should be the responsibility of the medical field to dispose of medications safely.

When most veterans signed up, it was with the promise of being able to utilize veteran hospitals for future medical needs. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Many veterans have had their benefits discontinued because of the fact that it isn't a "service related" injury. Even worse, after most go and spend literally eight hours to have a five minute conversation with VA case workers where they are told that now they must wait 18 months for processing. In many cases, 18 months without treatment is simply not an option. Left with two options, a veteran can either wait until they become destitute enough to receive benefits, or go try a private provider (with a pre-existing condition). Until we make them honor the commitment made to our brave soldiers, how can they ask the soldiers to honor theirs?

The current mental health laws Do Not Help the patient who is expected to make important strategic decisions in the midst of full blown episodes. Many of these individuals suffer the loss of jobs, marriages, homes. Families and caregivers, have to stand aside, helpless and unable to assist their loved ones, as I have personally experienced, and many, often and tragically, experience the grief of suicide. The current mental health laws benefit only the doctors and other mental health professionals involved, as they get repeat customers. Let us change the laws to empower family & caregivers in treatment decisions.

Congress, Supreme and lower courts,etc get free lifetime insurance. Why are paying for their insurance in the first place much less after they leave. We leave a job, we lose insurance..Want true deficit reduction? Start there..Cut off the bennefits...