I would like to know @ his face creams line w/Origins...going to mall tomorrow...

I have watched Dr. Weil for many years and subscribe to his prescription of eating right including all the colorful vegetables. I was diagnosed with MS by Mayo Clinic years ago. I have never taken medications for MS and rarely take an aspirin! My question for Dr. Weil is: Are you familiar with the blood type diet written about by Dr. D'Adamo? I have been committed to staying on that diet for ten years and find if I go off it by eating certain foods I'm not supposed to – I will have double vision or my hands will shake the next day (MS symptoms)
I have never been overweight and although my MRI indicated I have had MS for at least half of my life...no one knows I have MS unless I tell them.
My mother, one sister and my daughter have all been diagnosed with MS! I'm the only one on the blood type diet and the healthiest.
FYI,
MaryEllen Benvenuto-Rendine in AZ.

I am a 68 year old female who has experienced much success from alternative health care. Even though accupuncture, reflexology, massage, ect. are offered at our local hospital, insurance and Medicare does not pay for it. It is so cost efficient and would save so much money! Dr.Weil, will I live to see Medicare and others pick this up? (i.e. My carpal tunnel problem was taken care of by 6 accupuncture treatments @$50 per treatment and I didn't miss a day of work.)

I belive President Obama is truly doing a great job show control and true balance with this issue. Yes, he did get a negative shout out from the republican representative but be showed great form in responce and wanting to truly move foward for the nation.

does he grow an organic garden ? I think his Mom lived well into her 90's ..thank you ..

It just reinforced my thoughts. I've been on his side ever since.

What is good health care , health care someone else is responsible for paying for?

I dont get it!
The health care industry is greedy, then doesnt this mean we need a public option?

80 percent like health care!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHA!
People like their health care until they get sick!!!
hahahahah

oh the part where 40 to 50 million people are put on a government option right off the bat and it will pay for itself? is this what part you dont get?

If all those senators and congressman had to pay for there own health care and there family's they would reform this system quicker. They have the best coverage in the world.

Here is an idea. Set a deadline for congress to pass health care legislation, say Nov 1st. If they don't get it passed by the deadline. they lose their own coverage. I bet the congress would move allot faster with this clause.

President Obama was right in one thing it will be paid for.......... the part is from who..........the obvious, the middle class tax payer.

Just a comment, Dr. Weil just mentioned that he did not hear anything about prevention in the president's speech. I am pretty sure that the president mentioned prevention yesterday.

He is correct except those who have Cancer in China also receive intensive medical/ herbal treatment to increase their immune system

FINALLY!! I applauded the president when he pointed out that it had been the government that provided us with Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Did anyone go nuts back then? I only wish he had pointed out that the government had to finally make into law (much later than they should have) THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT. Where would we be if these things had not come to pass???? Keep going crazy at these town hall meetings. You're only making asses out of yourselves.

Its a novel idea for every citizen to have free health care but the problem is we live on planet earth and someone has to pay for it! If everyone wanted to chip in equally then I would be for a single payer system but not a system for the many paid for by the few!

I have taken the homeopathic flu immunization. I hope Dr Weil talks about homeopathy.

Advertising drugs should be banned. "Ask your doctor about....." at the end of their commercials. It's like they come up with a drug, advertise it, first thing you know your friends have GERD, Restless Leg Syndrome, etc. etc.

Dr. Weil is right on! Preventive medicine needs to be a billable service for healthcare professionals, not just physicians but, nurses, pharmacists, etc. I also think there needs to be an incentive for patients to participate in health education, physical fitness programs, and make lifestyle changes or maintain a current healthy lifestyle.

Ask Dr. Weil about the efficacy of Garlic in viral irradication, such as the flu virus. I have kicke the flu 6 times before in less than 24 hours using raw garlic and apple cider vinegar.

flu shots are one of the biggest scams in our health care system! Chances are you will never get the 2 or 3 strains each immunizations contain, you get some other strain with there being thousands of different ones!

How much do you pay for your health care a year? If you fall sick are you sure that you won't be denied because they found out that you lie on the application for a previous illness that at the time you didn't know you have according to their policies,,,,, Glad for you if your happy with your health care and the price to pay, and I hope you will never never never get sick

Thanks for having Dr. Weil, Larry. I get his e-mail newsletter every day. Always good info.

The Chinese also consider Ginsing (Korean) and saffron as boosting your immune system.

I currently fly to China every year and take herbs to help a medical condition that MD's from all over the USA can not figure out!

Question to Dr. Weil,
Have you looked into Breathing Yoga that help build immune system and prevents us from getting sick and makes our organs strong?
If not I suggest start telling all about it and best part is that it does not cost any thing.
Anil K Sharma
Chicago, IL

Larry, why did you not call out Carville on the real reason healthcare is so expensive? It is not "greedy" insurance companies, it is the greedy lawyers chasing easy money with frivolous lawsuits. And for the record, the bone Obama through the Republicans last night about "malpractice reform" was quite disigenuous, he is not going to take on the trial lawyers, even Howard Dean admitted that!!

Along with banning the advertising for drugs, commercials for "has your family member suffered from (fill in the blank) after taking (fill in the drug) should also be banned. That is just driving up the cost of drugs, malpractice insurance, and discouraging research and development of new novel drugs...

Dr. Weil is absolutely right. The administration is ignoring the real problem, nutrition and exercise. Americans are killing themselves and then running to doctors to get fixed. Its costing medicare an execesive amount for seniors who should be practicing a healthy lifestyle. Its so easy to do a little prevention. I dont know how to fix this problem, but maybe the media could flood the airways with messages about healthy living . We need a big dose of awareness

Obama is not the answer to all . DR Wild does not have answer to all so why is he on Larry King promoting his book ? We need health care why does Dr Wild not help Obama with the health care he has some solid advice .

Larry, why is it that whenever there's a Republican strategist and a Democratic strategist on your show, the Republican gets to talk 75% of the time?

President Obama should move forward with health care reform with or without the Republicans who want his health care plans to fail because they think that will win them seats in 2010. They are following the advice of William Kristol and other Republican journalists who have been advocating that course of action ever since Obama got elected.

Dr. Weil makes some good points but alternative medicine is not a cure-all for all ailments.

Dr. Weil is hundred percent right that we should stop advertising medicines. There was a time when It was taught that certain products need no advertisement but the times have changed. The drug cost can be reduced and patients won't go to the doctors telling them the medicine they want.

Will you endorse Osteopathic Medicine over Allopathic since the former uitilzes muscular manipulation instead of just depending on medication?

Dr Weil is a smart cookie(I mean vegetable )haha Our nation is a long way from his vision of health care. Too bad! I'm a natural health care professional and encounter the same ignorance among my clients who are some of the wealthiest people in our nation. The recent revelation of the illegal organ transplants shows the American way. If I drink too much I'll get some kids liver or kidney. Boy we're something!!

I have been following Dr. Andrew Weil for 7 years. I think he is great.
Can you ask him if the herb he just mentioned, astragalus , would be good for someone who was recently diagnosed by a Hematologist with idiopathic chronic neutropenia. What else would Dr. Weil suggest for someone with this blood disease.

THANKS YOU. Please ask him.

How about Gochi (goji) juice to fight off illness?

well my employer based basic is what I call it coverage comes to $500 per month for my family after what my employer pays then its a 80/20 deal like most people! So that $6,000 per year out of my pocket. What needs to be done is not public option its insurance and drug reform and force them to accept certain profit levels, regulate them if you will or ban them and go to a one payer system where everyone chips in equally for the same health care! By the way their is your SUV payment, so people say they cant afford it but far too many live beyond their means and feel compelled to keep up with the Jones`s and then mooch off the system!

Andrew Weil just claimed that Americans are much more likely than, say, germans to run to the doctor for every little medical complaint.

Does he have any hard evidence for this rather shocking claim? Everyone I know – everyone – stays away from the doctor until they are at death's door.

A patient of Swine Flu is, more or less, vulnerable to recurrence?

@ Doug, I agree with you, both of those should be banned. And I see Doctor's advertising now. That shouldn't be allowed either. No lawyers – no doctors advertising.

I completely agree with Dr. Weil in regards to our responsibility for our own health. Focusing on insurance does not cure the problem which is that most of the diseases that are increasing healthcare costs are all related to lifestyle. We want to live how we want and then have someone else pay the consequences. If the healthcare reform only focuses on insurance we will now be paying the consequences for everyone.

What does Dr. Weil think of Low intensity(PEMF) Pulsed electro Magnetic field therapy?

Dr. Weil,
what do you think of Dr. Stanley Burroughs book The Master Cleanser or The Lemonade Diet? does it help to cleanse the system? thanks to you both Larry and Dr. Weil

Dr. Weil, you mention astragalus and other supplements for health/swine flu.
What about INR/coumadin interactions?

Dr, Weil,
Why dont we tell the world start exercising and learn to do Breathing Yoga. It is free and does not need any buying and selling. It is absolutely free.
It does work and makes our body strong overall.
Anil K Sharma

what do you think of hydrogen peroxide therapy for an inexpensive available to all, treatment, for killing bacteria and viruses.

Is the University of Arizona's Integrative medicine school open to PEMF Pulsed Electro magnetic field as a preventative measure?

@ Anil K Sharma

I practice Taiji and Qi Gong every morning since I was very ill. I feel it has a lot to do with Taiji and Qi Gong!

When I first went to China 9 years ago, I realized that people in their 80s and 90s can trot up 4 flights of stairs and never winded. I started Taiji there at 5am – 8am every morning. The Chinese really know what is going on!!!

Greetings, I'm a board certified internist from Colorado Springs and I wonder why there are so many overweight medical pundits in the media spotlight?

Natures way of weeding out the weak, its a fact humans must face, we all cant be saved or live forever, but if you are rich like Steve Jobs you can jump in line and get your liver first!

Keep your job, but in the same time I think the cost is too high, wow ,Really So if your are denied for a reason out of your control what are you gone do

I just called in to ask a very important question and was hung up on by staff. Dr. W mentioned Astragalus as an anti-viral herb, and indeed it is. However, he mentioned that it is completely non-toxic, this is not true. Astragalus is a genus and some members are quite toxic. The public should be made award that herbs are indeed drugs and can do tremendous good, or tremendous harm. As a Professor of Pharmacology, I call on Dr. W to discuss this in more detail so these herbs are not described as a panacea, they are not. One has to be careful about the source and the dose and the administration. I invite Dr. W ti explicate.

This is a very serious issue and Doc like Dr. W, whom I respect, need to be careful not to just fling this stuff out as miracle cures.

Hey RJ. Maybe only doctors should be priviledged enough to drive their SUV's into the garage of their million dollar homes. My heart really does bleed over the poor doctor who has to pay for their malpractice insurance, Remember the poor guy who had the wrong leg amputated.

Dr Weil is saying it all right, our reform must include returning to clean farming-organic farming, No 'GMO, No chemicals, etc. Agri business, the government and all big business practices have many many people very ill physically, ill minded and addicted with mental problems even through our Foods. Oh just heard Dr. talk about his 7 steps..DO IT.

Rick from Lindsay Ontario
I realize the Canadian system is not perfect but Obama is right you must have a small portion of the system run by the government for those that simply don't have the money to pay and to keep powerful industry honest. How can so many countries that have a social system and all be bad. The Canadian system is not bad for Canadians. I am living proof of that.

Dr. Weil

I understand there is NO more need for oncologists! It is just a money maker.

We are now able to use our own immune system, enhance it to kill the cancer. What do you say???

Dodie but most Chinese cant afford to eat at McDonalds or buy cigarettes laced in chemicals....lol

for Dr Weil: What do u think about the human/animal bond & the relationships people have with pets & how that affects health

Dr. Weil,

What are your thoughts on the use of medicinal marijuana?

Congratulations Larry for (again) being at the forefront of what you do.

While other programs are hosting the same conventional medical experts to talk about the healthcare crisis, you have gone above and beyond and brought the progressive-minded Dr. Weil on board to speak about the ideal for the future, and not simply rehash other variations of the same problematic suggestions.

Hats off to you!!

Dr. Weil:

How about the genotyping to cure cancer??? No more Chemo!!! No more oncologists needed for cancer.

Why don't we use the genotyping to cure cancer instead of Chemo????

I understand Chemo is Big Business!!!

what was the name of that natural product that you can purchase at a health food store Dr. Andrew was speaking about?

Diane out of nowhere, I was talking about most of the people crying for a public option, most could afford their own health insurance if they just gave up the keeping up with the Jones`s attitude and put priorities first and not expect the tax payer to provide them with a next to free benefit that most other people have to work and pay for!

@ RJ

That is not true today. I live there 4-5 months of the year. They have made major transformations. Why I live there??? Because I can receive traditional Chinese medicine far superior to ours in many issues...

Patient's mark the "correct" knee now in Fl. that needs the surgery. Have to help those high paid surgeons, make sure they get the right leg so they can make the millions for vacations, SUVS, and homes.

The first step to preventative medicine would be to shop around the perimeter only of the grocery store ....do not go to the middle aisles.You will provide your family with all of the essential food groups,you will lose weight & grocery your bill will be less.

Dr. Weil:

If we don't make a move quickly to genotyping to cure cancer... The Chinese will captivate the world with this technology

Larry,
Please ask Dr. Weil, if it is possible for the President to explain in 45 to 60 minutes, what health education entails, a first course that requires 120 credits in the minimum for a bachelar's degree. Tell him that I say that he, the doctor is the cause of malfunctioning of medicare/medicaid and their insurances. There is a provision for the doctors, practice office to have a health educator in ones office and they don't. There is also provision for a health manager and there are many of the practices without one. Their main purposes are to grab money.
Did he want the president to explain functions of HMOs in his speech. He said there is the base of Health and its branches included.
Ask Dr. Weil to look again into his statement of the work of the present president. He does more than any president I have known, and I know very many.

Annie

Dr. Weil, can you speak to the benifits of acai juice as an antiimflamatory agent?

Linda you must remember we live in the land of opportunity not the land of entitled! Some people were destined to drive Cadillacs and most of us were meant to drive Chevettes, thats the cold hard truth! Most of the people crying for the public option go without nothing and are tapped out credit wise and expect someone else to help them out! LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS, its a simple concept!

Larry, you and Dr. Weil should stop deluding Americans that you have the best health care system in the world. You know better. Just check the WHO reports. Health care inthe U.S.A falls far behind most of the industrialized nations of the world. It's that kind of talk that prevents real honest discussion about health care reform

@ RJ

Did you know that there are MORE Starbucks in China than the USA? I am not just talking Beijing or Shanghai. I am also talking about other cities. Not just the big ones. You would not even believe how much China had changed. Are some of the people poor. Yes, the farmers are still struggling. But the people in the city are for the most, doing better... many better than we are.

The biggest push in China. Fly to the USA and purchase all the foreclosure homes. Why is our housing market going up? Because the Chinese are buying them!!!

Hey RJ. I guess you're referring to YOUR neighbors. Insurance coverage just isn't what it used to be. The average person who has the average healthcare through their employer, could never afford a serious illness. Did you listen to the president when he made a reference to the person who was denied treatment because of a prior case of acne?? Please

Hi Larry,
The best healthcare in the world is france as ranked by WHO.
I just feel you might want to know.
Fola Ajao, M.D.

Quality is near the bottom but payout is on top, blame the insurance and drug companies! Another government run program will not fix this!

what is the process for the fda to approve medicines. it seems that they approve a drug and a year later there is a recall and law suits.

why don't insurance cover herbal supplements.

why are medicines and supplements proven effective in other countries - not approved in the u.s.

thanks

I have seen and heard many comments about "illegals". My question is why are they here? The answer is jobs. Who is hiring them? The answer is we are. The people who hire and use these "illegals" should be the ones we should want punished. My last question is if any of us saw a man, woman or child hurt, sick, or in pain would we close the door on them and tell them not our problem go back to where you came from? I hate to think that is what America has become. We who boast about being a Christian nation. OK Christians WWJD?

Your 100% right , but government run program will not fix this! Insurance reform is the only way! I hope you dont believe adding 50 million people to a plan right off the bat will be able to pay for itself especially when one will NOT have to prove they are a citizen of this country!

Dr Weil is true and right on about he knotted mess in our country as well as the rest of the world.. For the love and need of MONEY, it is so maddening that it $$ is so neccesary. Prevention is the route to direct all things to–I support the President to ALSO call to action all the chemical companies, farmers, dairies, etc.. It will be a good day when he calls all of them to ALSO Restructure themselves, their purposes and their 'put on us', the same as he is doing with insurance, medicene/health care, etc..We support him to give incentives to the independent farmers, to clean up our acts – clean up the foods, rivers, streams.

Karen there is only so much wealth in the world, are you willing to go without so the rest of the world has free health care.....I doubt it!

I watched it in full on the web C-SPAN tonight. I'm so proud that we elected such an intelligent, pragmatic and articulate man to be our President. He did what all our "great" leaders have done for several centuries now. He appealed to our better nature; to our common values and to our sense of practical and pragamtic realities. I'm "so done" with the crass, fear mongering from the right and the left!!! There is too much important business to be attended to in this country to waste time with distortions and fear mongering.

Dr Weil should be the surgeon gen of the US..

Mr. King:

I am an independent with conservative leanings. Most often I recoil from your seemingly stong liberal bent. Yet, your interview of Dr. Weil was very two sided and brought forth unique and ceative logic/ insight. You are a real pro! Initially my thought was Dr. Weil should assist in the administration but on secnd thought I came to the view that Dr. Weil can add more value from the outside.

Thank you for bringing forth such intelect without political bent. Now how can you with your bully pullpit bring for the logic and influence change....?!

GOD Bless!

Ron Divin

RJ, I am commenting about America. Most of the rest of the world has free health care. I am referring to people in my country who stand up and say "its mine you can't have it, but you can mow my lawn".

Karen, you are 100 percent correct. Thank you

I admire everything Dr. Weil said about preventive medicine and poisonous, inedible, stinking packaged cheap cr*p that breaks our store shelves. I'm not a stranger to his ideas myself, homeopathy and other natural cures and beauty treatments are most welcome in my home and had been for decades. I could share a couple of cold remedies or facial and hair masks that cost cents and work wonders :-). But...

President Obama was not giving a speech at a science conference. I'm sure he'd be willing to listen to doctors and scientists like Dr. Weil. After all, he was the one to lift the ban on stem cell research. But he can't perform all magic in one step. Just as the President should, he was addressing the urgent issue at hand. What are we supposed to do with generations already raised on that poison and drugs? Exterminate and start fresh? In that regard Dr. Weil was even farther from reality than those who want to keep intervention as the prime way of medical help. Good or bad, we have way too many people for whom intervention is the only hope and they desperately need access to health care. Public option should be the first step, and after that, I'm sure, under President Obama no scientist and no honest doctor will be stopped in his tracks to promote and implement what Dr. Weil suggests.

Hooray for Dr. Weil. He expressed what I've been feeling for a long time. Do you think it's possible that our elected officials will implement his reccommendations. We need more education and less big business, and more healthy people.

As a financial analyst in a large hospital, I see a problem being created 3 fold: by the insurance companies, the providers, and the government.

There is a financial tug-o-war going on and the patient is the rope.

I will address the last issue first. The government is taking the exact opposite approach. Government mandated health care is what got us into this mess to begin with. By indiscriminately handing out government subsidized (or exclusively government financed) care, such as medicare and medicaid, and by passing laws that limit the amount of reimbursement providers can receive, they have created a culture of government subsidized insurance as an under-payer. Medicare and Medicaid usually pay about 30% of what it actually costs to render services. Federal and State laws require that providers not pursue reimbursement for the remaining 70% (I actually dont think they should be, but read on to see the reaction forces at work.)

As a result of this the bill is passed on to those who are insured or self-pay. This created a huge markup on heath care as a result of such a large percentage of the population only paying for 30% of the costs. The working class, either insured or not, has shouldered the bill beyond their limits.

The insurance companies have responded to this by increasing premiums and decreasing reimbursement to providers (although still higher than medicare and medicaid) thus resulting in even higher expenses passed to the system as a whole. It is my opinion that along with this the insurance companies have capitalized on these profit opportunities and once they got a taste of that, they realized the had the system by the balls (pardon my french) and could take it where they wanted..... THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WANT **MORE** GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION!!!!!! Giving them that much more profit to take from the working American.

As a financial analyst I see the numbers daily. If government intervention was reduced, and medicare and medicaid where better managed, being more discriminate to those they hand coverage out to. I know that health care cost as a whole could be reduced 50 – 60 percent (Maybe more as provider reimbursement improved.)

Then, when costs come down, the government can step in with the insurance companies to limit their profits to acceptable margins (I also think the supply and pharmaceutical companies should be included as well)

The cost of health care would reduce so that we wouldn't need government intervention, and the average working American with a family could afford it.

Now I have no issues with providing services to the disabled, elderly, or genuinely impoverished; however I see these patients on a daily basis, and most are NOT DISABLED! NOT IMPOVERISHED!

I have seen patients drive up to our facility in a brand new car, loudly talking (or texting) on their cell phones, walk into the facility, upon reaching the door, they hunch over, walk more slowly to the check in desk, and present medicaid as their insurance. (This does happens more often than it doesn't). I dont blame a person for seeking the least expensive option for their health care, but who is allowing it? THE GOVERMENT!!!

thanks for letting me rant

Robert.

@ Karen

Yes, those employers who employ the illegals should be giving them the medical benefits. I don't know if you can apply for medical coverage for someone who has no SSN or worse, using one of ours!

There will always be those who abuse a good thing. I guess you should tell them to take 2 aspirin and call you in the morning.

Robert, what about self-employed uninsurable Americans? Who is at fault here?
I drive a brand new car, I am not impoverished, and I don't go to doctors smiling or texting, In fact, I don't go at all, I go on vacations instead to my wonderful doctors outside the US and pay a fraction of a price for excellent care. Indeed, I'm not poor and disabled. But one day I may end up in the IC, and I won't be able to present even medicaid. Zilch. First, I'll be punished by losing all my "wealth" since I'm "too rich" to ask for government help, even though all my life I was paying all 15% of my social security out of my own pocket, and second... you guys will pick up the rest of the tab because my wealth is way too modest to cover it all. I want to buy insurance but no one sells. Who should take care of that? We can't force private entrepreneurs to accommodate me, that would be socialism, right?

@ Robert,

I agree with most of what you say with an exception.

Medicare and Medicaid do pay... however the treating people must dot every "i" and cross every "t" in order to get paid. I know, I am one of those health care providers.

A problem also is that illegals can get Medicaid for birthing babies and other critical medical issues which I am NOT thrilled at.

I agree. We need to examine EVERY CLAIM for Medi-cal, Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, welfare, low income housing... etc... etc... etc and the list just goes on and on!!!!

Too many people are abusing the system!!!

Irene, I think I love you. Goodnight.

Good night, Diane. I have a plane to catch tomorrow :-).

Irene,

You are the person I am referring to who is getting hurt. The person who isnt abusing the system, but just trying to make it on what you have. but if your cost of health care (your premiums, SS, and out-of-pocket) were so reduced. wouldn't it be more feasible for those like you (and me too) to be able to cover their costs (through cheaper insurance, a lesser drain on SS, and decreased OOP)?

Dodie,

You are definitely right about medicare being too picky about the 'i' dotting and 't' crossing. That's a management issue that is all too common with government managed programs. I agree that the government should not come between the patient and provider, I also believe those who actually need (and deserve, to exclude illegals) the assistance should be able to receive it. But way too many people cheat the system and are costing the rest of us (including the medicare recipients) a huge increase of our net OOP, not to mention the drain on SS, from which many more deserved individuals may someday suffer.

Robert

No. I was alreay for the Public Option. However, I hope the Blue Dogs have change their mind to support the Public Option, because that is the only way Blue Dog Democrats can protect their jobs. We need them to stick with the rest of the Democrats because we want the Democrats to keep a majorty. If they pass a weak Bill because of them, then the Conservative Republican will rally their base against all Democrats. They are going to run against the Blue Dogs anyway. Blue Dogs need to realize this and not be stupid and help their cause. If Democrats are targeted for a change, they will be the first to go. Their best political strategy is to stick strong with the Democrats, and pass a strong Bill that will help all people. All they need to do is simply show their constituency how they will be help by the strong Bill. In the balance the Independences’ (the fastest growing party) will get them over the hump. Listening to the Republican will only make Conservatives want Conservatives Republicans, which they do not see them as. So, their Democrat status is their only security. Supporting the public option is their strong political strategy, and their safest play. It is a play that the Conservatives Republicans have boxed themselves out of. For a Blue Dog, the Public Option is your friend, if you can just open you mind and put on your political strategy thinking cap on.

The United States has not cured a disease in fifty years, because it's more profitable for the insurance and drug companies to suck the life out you.

Dr. Weil is ready and willing to offer problems and solutions to the health care system. The USA should be the model for the rest of the world.
President Obama should be talking to Dr. Weil in great depth and get the truth. Let's make it happen.

If it is up to the Democrats the whole country is going to be broke, under foreign rule and wondering what happened to America.
What has happen to citizen responsibility? Does no one in the country believe that they are responsible to work, pay for what they buy, including health care and spend only what they can afford?
With Citizen Rights comes Citizen Responsibility. The government does not owe you anything, I certainly do not work to owe you anything, it is up to each of us to work, pay our own way and not to place burdens on others. If I choose to help someone that is one thing, but I should not be made or forced to help some who choose to milk a system that can be manipulated. I have seen abuses in all the government programs and it makes me sick. I have seen people have six children so they can collect welfare, go to college and then sit on their butts and do nothing or collect money under the table without reporting wages. I cheer for Joe who at least has the courage to shout and be angered when he knows that the system is unjust. I wish the Congressman from Georgia had as much courage. That is what our founding fathers had and they disagreed louder and more strongly than any of those men and women sitting in Congress, collecting their big checks, being paid off by Big Business and thinking they speak for Americans. They do not speak for me, I speak for myself and one day the men and women of America will have had enough and they will collectively speak for themselves. I may not be alive to see it but I know that the day is coming. Our country is going the way of all those great societies of yesterday that thought that they would last forever. Remember, nothing lasts forever when it is unjust and is not in the best interest of its people. Healthcare reform, maybe it should be reformed, but not on the backs of hard working American men and women. If those in Congress believe in it so strongly let them put their money where their mouth is. Let Mrs. Ted Kennedy spend her money and pay for it, let the President put his money up to pay for it and all the others who want it so badly. Then maybe I would choose to put my money there also. Charity begins at home, taking care of my family, not yours or anyone elses.
Try reporting the news with an unbiased dialogue. Sometimes you anger me in the depths of my soul, I do not want your opinion, I only want the story. I want to make my own decisions and make my own choices. Do you think we are all stupid. Even in high school they teach you about putting a slant on information to get a favored outcome. I don't live in Korea, I don't live in China, I don't live in Afganistan, I live in America where we have freedom of speech. Isn't it wonderful that the rest of the world could see that. Now the rest of the world questions whether we really have it or not when we apologize for speaking the truth.

@ eJay

You are absolutely correct. That is why we will lose to China using genotyping to cure cancer. It can already be done. I have seen it. But NOT in the USA. So very sad. Money before progress. Ultimately we all will :"bite the bullet"... so to speak.

@Robert:

I am also very upset with people cheating the system. I see it on a daily basis just like you! And I am getting to finally retire and cannot because my health care premiums would be $685 a month... oh, did I tell you. I also work for the local government and yes my retirement health care premiums are that high. So much for retirement!

@ Mary Brand

I agree with you on some of the issues; however, if we did not go to Iraq, we would have saved ourselves (((Three TRILLION Dollars ))) yes, that is the cost including all the medical care for the veterans who fought there. We could provide a government option for 50 years with 3 trillion dollars for every American. Oh yes, that was the Republicans that put us in the Iraq war and made billions off us tax payers!!! Haliburtin made billions... and who was the CEO??? Oh yes, it was Cheney. Now I call that a conflict!!!

I am not Democratic; however, Nixon (R) started the HMO, Reagen (R) made a law that government employees can not collect their government retirement which we paid in to... and social security even though I paid into that for 22 years. Yes, everyone gets to use the social security money that was taken out of my paycheck. So, I am NOT thrilled with Republicans! Personally, I would like to see a third party. All of Congress is being bought off by the lobbyists!

Fascinating discussion, as always, with Dr. Weil. I would be interested in Dr. Weil's thoughts on advances (real or percieved) in evidence-based medicine; both from an integrated perspective and from a purely Wesytern Medicine perspective.

DR. WEIL--Thank you for mentioning that direct to consumer pharma advertising is not allowed in any other country. DUH? Gee, it wouldn't be because in other countries where medicine is socialized, the government wants the individual to have little or no knowledge or challenge a physician on meds prescribed? I am surprised you would allow yourself to look so uninformed.

Do you know how many docs used to tell "little old ladies" that they were a little shorter than they used to be because "that's the way it is when you get older?" If it were not for pharma educating people on the subject, some things would still be the same.

Some people would say you, too, should not be promoting to the consumer. Much of what you say has not been proven through years of clinical studies. I'm testing you however; am feeding my dog your dog food. If that works out, will consider other theories of yours for myself :-).

As a holistic Doctor for 27 years, I whole heartedly agree with Dr. Weil- he hits the nail on the head – it all boils down to "lifestyle medicine", what most medical groups are calling Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes". The core problem in the US in the BEHAVIOUR of the American citizens: how you eat, move, rest, supplement, think. THe bulk of all disease-care expeditures are spent on preventable illness, like Type II diabetes, which the surgeon-general stated is 98% preventable based on lifestyle choices alone. Most illness in this country is of a chronic nature. Common sense and break-through science has well proven that nutrition, exercise, dietary supplements, herbl medicine – like astragalus, and stress reduction is THE strongest prevention – where is the national capitalization of that?!

Dr Weil's approach to health care is the best I have heard so far, first get people educated about prevention, by making healthy choices and also the integration of medicine by using holistic approach. Frankly I dont believe in medication all I try is mind body healing and holistic treatment I am a menopausal 54 year old woman who today does not even take tylenol. How about educataing people about the side effects of medicine.

DODIE-Cheney gave all the money he made from Halliburton to charity. The problem with liberals is that they can never add fair balance to a story.

Further – look at American Association of Integrative/Holistic Medicine, Institute for Functional Medicine, StopChronicDisease.com, any of Dr. Weil's books, any of Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D.'s books. Sure, Insurance needs to reduce costs and gaurantee care, but it is still DISEASE-CARE, not real prevention or pro-active wellness plans.

I agree with Dr Andrew
President Obama convinced me He thinks I am an idiot, and he lies a lot, even when he knows We know he is lying.
He cares not what anybody thinks, he thinks he has enough power to be the supreme ruler, and rule us all against our will.

As usual Dr. Weil has something worth hearing and considering in every country, but I have to disagree with the republican strategist.

Polls showed 76 percent agreed with Obama's health care plan, while 52 percent didn't approve of his handling. If this means anything it could well be that quite a few democrats and independents (quite sensibly) may have had a problem with the wing-nuts being given voice at town halls and how the republicans were given a chance to misrepresent the truth.

Good luck with reform. I truly believe that despite all the hits America has taken over the years health reform will lead to a stronger and better country. With 20 thousand death a year, and half of personal bankruptcies from lack of insurance, and one of the worst infant mortality rates in the modern world who wouldn't want reform?

Not that we have a perfect system here, but we are very grateful for it and working to improve it. A young family should not have to worry about the cost of bringing a healthy baby into the world, or what to do if their four year old gets sick...

I hope this bill does see Ted Kennedy's name on it when it is passed.

DODIE, if you can afford that $100,000 bet you placed a while back (you told us you could afford to lose the money), then you can afford the $685 a month. Retire, enjoy!

Jenny, Canada – 76% agree with need healthcare reform but only 50% agree with Obama's approach.

I agree with the doctor and President Obama.

The Republican party is stuck in the past and needs to see that this country will be crippled in 10 years of nothing is done. We pay for their 70% of the best care that they say is Gold Plated.

I would rather see Universal Heatlh Care it works well for my cousins in Canada but this is a beginning. On had heart surgery and she says she gets right in anytime she needs to.

Thank you President Obama, you are a great President and I wonder if you shouldn't just push for Universal Heatlh Care but it will help a little.

When cash is paid for medical services, the price is half what it is if insurance is used. I pay cash, and my cost are reasonable

What do you think about the way our country "manages" birth? Do you support midwifery models as opposed to major medical intervention? What do you think about the current C-section rate?

Dr. Weil, speaking of natural, low tech treatment, I was able to replace EIGHT Big Pharma drugs with cannabis – and I'm healthier now than when Doc's had me on all those synthetic drugs.. Makes sense – cannabis was used by humans for medicine for thousands of years before drug companies ever came along. Big Pharma doesn't like it because they can't patent a plant – no $$$ in it for them.

Larry King
I was very excited hear Dr. Andrew Weil on the show tonight. He finally spoke about something that I am constantly talking to my friends and family about regarding health care in America. I have worked in the fitness industry for over the last 10 years as a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor in strength training, cardio exercise, aqua, yoga, senior fitness, and spinning and have also been a health club director and physical education teacher.

I loved hearing Dr. Weil say how important preventative health care is. Nutrition and physical fitness do go hand in hand. The schools in America desperately need to incorporate nutrition as part of the academics curriculum. The schools also need to promote Physical Education. Unfortunately most school children only get PE once a week, and with the way the economy is, unfortunately it is often the first thing that a school will cut.

I could go on for hours about the benefits of exercise and nutrition. Obama should talk with the department of education about these two important factors of life and save the American people billions of dollars a year in health care cost by promoting these two important factors. I know for a fact that promoting these two important things in the life of Americans would makes all the difference between a healthy lifestyle and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Mary A Smith

Oh my God Wake up People..... Finally having someone on your show who is spot on ! He is telling the truth, its all about money and has nothing to do about our health. I hope there is someone not bought and paid in the goverment to wake up and see how broken our health care system is. Being healthy is common sense yet we as a society are so lazy and lead like a bunch of sheep. Thank-You for having Dr, Andrew Weil on! Think about it Pharma has been around only about 100 years and yet Natural Medicine for over 3000 years I will take my chances with natural like I have for over 30 years and at 51 I do not depend on any Doctor who has no Holistic background and all they no how to do is push drugs... May this only be the beginning of real change..........

The thing everybody is missing here is we are past broke, we cannot meet our monthly interest payments, and must roll back spending AT ONCE, concentrate on paying down debt as fast as possible. Ground air force one until we get this under control. Suspend pay for congress until our monthly interest payment is brought to a level we can pay.

Hi
I notice the Doctor mentioned the very high mark up drugs have in our country, and also the outrageous amount of money spent on mass advertising of prescription drugs. Not only on TV but on direct perks to doctors and nurses who push the product. I have family members in the field and it breaks my heart to see how much money is spent on frivolous meetings, countless free lunches and promotional items. Is unbelievable unethical for doctors and hospitals to allow themselves to be bribed by this.

Is also very sad that newschannels wont talk about it because they are the main recipients of money on advertising of prescription drugs.

If the drug is good, then is doctors who need to know about it, instead, drug manufacturers spend billions on advertising and "coaching" the public on symptoms so they ask their doctors.

For instance, depression. If patients where to exercise more, lots of cases would be better, instead, is juts drugs drugs drugs.

Good grief, Dr. Weil. I have to boot the computer up again. You say the problem with healthcare is greed in the industry. You talk as though all these docs over the last 30 years went to school just to help people. You don't think most went for the money. Aren't you a corporation? Stop the propaganda.

Dr. Weil is has a great point: teach people to be healty not talking everyone into being sick. First people are talked into a sickness and then sold on the drugs. Think about it. Like the winter flu season. We're told we'll catch it andt hen sold the drug to heal it. Like Dr. Weil said, who made it law that these problems are healed with drugs. There are doctors who will say that God does the healing, but people won't believe it so they give the drugs. Let's get down to basics. Jesus performed all sorts of miracles, which were not miracles but natural healings, natural through the Christ. Does the Bible not teach that? Did Jesus use drugs? Well? And wasn't this country established on God? Has He not been cut out of the picture? We have become so sickness and drug conscious it's rediculous. And here we are trying to straighten out this health care system. How about working on people learning to be healthy. On the subject of drugs, how do you know it's a drug you're taking and not a placebo, a sugar tablet? So, where's the healing–in the mind. My mother's doctor, years ago , had the right idea–treat the mind. He'd talk to her, see if there's something troubling her, and help her change her thinking. That's the real treatment, not pushing pills, and he knew that, and it really healed. How about working toward a nation of healthy, happy, working people not under government control.

Pls remove me from the notification by email when comments are made,

Everything in this country is about money. Plain and simple!!!

The 2 industries that are thriving in this recession is HEALTHCARE and JUDICIAL SYSTEM (security and law enforcement).

The president took on one of these. I applaud his courage just to talk about it. He has put his hands in the pockets of big guys who make big money and they hate it.

Great show !!
Make sure to bring Dr. Weil back on many times. He seems to be the only one in mass media at the moment that realizes that prevention is the only way to save the health care finances in the US and Europe.
Big compliments to the doc for speaking up on LKL

For Michael Jackson...

I still hear your voice to sing & I always will...

...Songs my already in the field
Greet me everything in this world
regards me flowers and dove,
and all the hearts that love is strong...

Larry, many thanks for the Dr. Weil interview. We watched during the midnight airing in New York, and here I am at the computer adding a comment at 5:40 a.m. Back when Bill Clinton was arguing for health care reform I said, "It's all about disease. Where is the prevention element ?" I don't hear anything different from Pres. Obama.
The long range solution is lifestyle changes: exercise and good nutrition and stress reduction. I liked the comment about shopping on the perimeter of the supermarket. Too many of us, myself included purchase the junk foods. T hanks again, Larry.

Mary Brand,

I respect wholeheartedly what you've said about responsibility etc. I am what you want me to be – a self-employed, self-sustained American. However, let's face the truth.

Corporations and insurance companies made darn sure that Americans are no longer free. People are afraid of being self-employed because they will be almost double-taxed while using a fraction, if any, of what in-house employees use, and lose access to health care for the entire family. Self-employed are discriminated by credit institutions, mortgage companies, health industry, even HRs when they want to get a job (unproven experience! my friends tasted that), you name it. People who, like me, can prove that they steadily pay more taxes than some make in a year, and pay it by working hard independently, will be triple-scrutinized and considered less reliable than those who sit in the cubicle on some entry-level position shaking in their boots day in day out because tomorrow they can get a pink slip.

Millions of Americans are looking for jobs in the free and open market in the country where any productive initiatives are possible, allowed and, supposedly, most welcome. They would love to work from their houses, save lots of resources and be around their kids. Some would be able to afford sky-high insurance but nothing else in their lives.

People walk the only line left for them. Just like in the Little House in the Prairie. You work for me or you go because this land is mine. Yeah, sure, we can bust out homes. At least we know that we are free in that department. Than what?

Dependent and ignorant population is their greatest asset and they want to keep it that way. That's why any attempts by Pres Obama to wake up younger generations upset the conservatives so much.

The only freedom is the freedom you can afford. Everything else is propaganda, even when it is stated in the American Constitution, the greatest document ever written by the mankind.

very clear and precise words from dr. weil. as a physician i very much agree about banning the tv commercials of pharmaceuticals and rising the value of familiy and preventive medicine. however, what i dont like is that he advertises his own medicine and own center by name during the larry king show. this has no place on in non conflicted journalism.

Yes! Great Show! Bravo! I have always believed in Andrew Weil's philosophy to wellness. Although, I believe there could be potential for fraud in stem cell implants and research study. There needs to be a check system from an outside source not covered by the same insurance co. to verify that the records have not been manipulated for benefit purposes.

Larry, enjoy your show, never miss any. Enjoyed Dr. Weil, looked for astraglos on line couldn't find any information about the pill.
Since I am not a pill taker i look for natural products

Dr Weil is correct,,we need more family medicine DRS & internists, & general practicianers,,no more specialists..he is correct...

I think the current health care reform and debate surrounding it important for America. Dr. Weil was on the money in his comments and although the current health care reform bill is an important start toward real change, it does not go nearly far enough. I believe the solution lies in a single payer system focused on "health" not profits. The debate would have been better served if President Obama focused on the moral imperative of extending health care as a right,...something that every other democratic nation has understood and implemented. Then why not simply offer a reform which would extend the same health coverage that congress itself enjoys to all citizens?

Without going into detail of an already too long comment, these are the important basic reforms I believe we need:

A. make health care available to all U.S. citizens (no exceptions – everyone)

B. eliminate waste in the health system (many ways this can be done)

C. control escalating cost through price control, caps, encouraging more competition in the drug market, etc...

D. create legal reform to reinforce the health care (as regarding malpractice lawsuits)

E. make sure all decisions regarding health care, including choice of doctor, hospital, drugs, etc… are exclusive to doctor and patient (not in the hands of insurance companies or government)

thanks for listening.

Mary B. ,

WE the people will be able to purchase the healthcare system ..

WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT ...

YET WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW COUNTRIES THAT DOES NOT PROVIde it for our well deserving citizens

I am willing to continue to pay for my cost with my tax dollars just like I have paid for our k-12 school system

just like I contribute to pay the POst man

and our farmers ...

and our medicare

and our medicaid

Hello we have already been taking care of ourselves ~!!

the other Mary ( I HAVE VOTED SPLIT TICKET ..HOWEVER LAST TIME i DO ) i'VE LOST ALL FAITH ON THE NO SHAME PARTY

Larry thanks for all your interest in various topics, there is so much to learn from the guests you have on. Hopefully we will all become more in tuned with the drastic changes taking place in our world.