The state of our healthcare system continues to be in the minds of many people. The ever increasing budget deficit is adversely affecting healthcare, both in the federal and state level. The continued increase in healthcare expenditure, especially with the many baby boomers that will soon enter in the Medicare roster, will put more strain on the federal deficit. It is up to the citizenry to help find the solution to the problem. We cannot continue the way we are, heading to disaster, and expect the government to bail us all out. One key way that each of us can do to help bring down the budget deficit is to make sure that we maintain our own good health and avoid harmful habits. Foremost of these harmful habits are smoking, excessive alcohol use and illegal drug use. These three habits have no health benefits and have contributed to cancer, chronic illnesses and premature deaths. They are responsible for the majority of our healthcare expenditure and are preventable. So, I will continue to explore this relationship between the general health of the population and its impact on the national budget, and get the pulse of the nation regarding this very important topic. If you want to know more about some of my ideas about healthcare, then read my book, “The Body’s Acupuncture Energetics”. You can get the book at www.bodysacuenergetics.com or at Xlibris.com. Any letters to me should be sent to P.O. Box 167, DuBois, PA 15801.