History and current events – watercress words by Dr Aletha

Declaring Independence-July 4, 2026

Read the text of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776. Would you have supported the fight for independence?

In Congress, July 4, 1776

“The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

“The previous text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum). The spelling and punctuation reflect the original.“

You can learn about the Declaration, its authors and signers, and see high-resolution images of the original at the above link. Read it here in Spanish.

La Declaración de Independencia

Remember and Research

Signing the Declaration and supporting the Revolution were costly for those who chose independence. Most paid with their property, money, family, and some paid with their lives.

Do you have ancestors who were part of the Revolution and know what happened to them? If you don’t know, consider researching your history. FamilySearch and the DAR Genealogical Research System are free and available to anyone wanting to find their Patriot ancestors.

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog and follow me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

I joined the DAR when I found my Patriot ancestor.

Expert Predictions about 2026 Health Policy

In this post I review some 2026 healthcare predictions for likely continuation of partisan gridlock, minimal congressional action, and increased focus on health care affordability amid midterm elections. Key issues to watch include ACA enrollment responses, Medicaid work requirements, rising insurance costs, and the impact of AI on consumer health care navigation.

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update but may have changed by the time you read this. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with a qualified healthcare professional.

As we anticipate 2026, here is a look at what the federal government may do with healthcare in the United States.

This is a reprint of an article first published on KFF and shared here by permission.

The author is Drew Altman, President and Chief Executive Officer of KFF, a position he has held for over 30 years, founding the KFF organization in the 1990s. He is a leading expert on national health policy issues and an innovator in health journalism and the nonprofit field.

(Note: I have edited this article for length and readability. I linked to the original content so you can read the full sections. The photos are for illustration and are not affiliated with the original article on KFF. AO)

Health Policy in 2026

from Drew Altman, December 8, 2025

Forecasting the year ahead in health policy is always treacherous because events intervene and screw up even the best predictions. But my working theory is that the sharp partisan divide in Congress, and even sharper disagreement on health care policy, can produce only small-ball actions on health next year.

So, what should you watch for that will really matter for people, policy, and politics?

Voter Reaction to the ACA in the Midterms

First and foremost is the role that health care affordability will play in the midterms. Assuming there is no deal on the enhanced ACA (Affordable Care Act) tax credits, spiking premium payments in the Marketplaces will become the national symbol for voters of concerns about their health care bills.

Democrats will prosecute the issue to the fullest, and Republicans will generally try to shift the subject and fight on other issues. Health care affordability will be in the spotlight, but how important it is as a vote-and-turnout driver remains to be determined.

Photo by Edmond Dantu00e8s on Pexels.com

How ACA Enrollment Might Change

Second, again assuming there’s no deal on the tax credits, we’ll see how enrollees actually respond in the Marketplaces. What share of the 24 million enrollees switch to cheaper high-deductible plans? What is the impact of doing that on their financial security and health-seeking behavior? What happens to older and sicker enrollees who need better, more comprehensive coverage? How many millions choose to be uninsured in 2026 and who are they?

Medicaid Work Requirements

Third, states that have expanded Medicaid will be gearing up for Medicaid work requirements, which kick in in 2027.

Red states may be looking for flexibility to implement the toughest possible requirements and reduce their Medicaid rolls and spending.

Blue states will be looking for nooks and crannies in the law and the rules to lessen the impact in the hopes that Democrats seize control again in 2028 and reverse the requirements.

Having implemented state welfare work requirements myself, I know there is always some ability to shade implementation depending on the goals of a state.

In our case in New Jersey, we had little interest in kicking people off welfare (and into homelessness or deep poverty, which we’d also have to address). We did have a big interest in providing job training, childcare, transportation, and a pathway to jobs.

More Expensive Health Insurance

Fourth, after years of moderate increases, health costs will increase more sharply again. Employer premium increases may not touch double digits but could come close.

The average cost of a family policy for employers could approach $30,000. Cost-sharing and deductibles will likely rise again after plateauing for several years.

Employers and public payers are increasingly skittish about the costs of GLP-1s for weight loss. It’s possible GLP-1s could turn from today’s dilemma to a technology-diffusion success story of sorts. (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1)

Costs are coming down, pills are on the horizon, and payers are developing more sensible guidelines for their initial and long-term use.

In a country where the dam breaks on every effective new medical technology and it’s rapidly disseminated at high costs, GLP-1s could emerge as a more balanced and sensible example of technology diffusion. Like most new medical technologies, it still increases costs.

Drug and Hospital Costs Increase

Fifth, the Trump administration has put pressure on drug prices through a variety of initiatives. Probably the most important is Medicare drug price negotiations, which began in the Biden years, but together they are putting pressure on drug prices.

Still, retail drug spending is only 9% of overall health spending (16% for employers) and there is growing awareness that hospitals gobble up the single largest share of the health care dollar.

Proposals to cap hospital prices or put hospitals on a budget seem to be coming back into fashion again but are non-starters with Republicans in charge, as of course is single payer.

For 2026, we can look generally for greater attention being paid to hospital prices and possibly greater action at the state level, where several states have established hospital cost targets with varying degrees of teeth.

Prior Authorization Review

Sixth, people (and providers) hate prior authorization review. Will the administration’s voluntary effort to work with industry to streamline and pare back prior authorization result in any concrete relief for patients when it kicks in this year?

MAHA and Vaccinations

Seventh, four in 10 Americans say they identify with the MAHA agenda. We’ll learn more in the coming year about which tenets of this loose movement have staying power. (Make America Healthy Again)

Everyone is for exercise and for healthier food for kids (although I do still miss those Hostess Cupcakes and Twinkies that I had as a kid).

But people who have serious illnesses may grow tired of the central MAHA notion that they are personally responsible for disease and may increasingly make the connection between their own need for medical care and cuts in Medicaid and ACA coverage.

President Trump and Secretary Kennedy at the MAHA commission meeting, public domain photo

There is some overlap between MAHA and the anti-vax movement. Another thing to watch: will vaccination rates continue to decline as the administration chips away at universal vaccination and trust in vaccines?

Patients Using AI for Health

Eighth, AI means a lot for physicians, researchers, hospitals, insurance companies, and investors, with profound implications in some areas of medicine, such as radiology. But when will AI start having real meaning for the things people care about most: their costs and their ability to navigate the health system? (AI-Artificial Intelligence)

The implications and practical applications for consumers receive far less attention, as generally does the relatively low level of trust in AI. Possibly, 2026 will be the year when attention shifts more seriously to the consumer side of AI in health.

Conclusion

All told, it will be a big year ahead in health policy. And this list only just scratches the surface. (Others include the CDC, NIH, FDA, and Medicare.)

But there probably won’t be a lot of significant action in Congress. Still, every incremental change is a big fight in health care, and hard won, and in a hyper-partisan Congress, 2026 will be no different.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

Subscribe to KFF Health News’ free Morning Briefing.

This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

How health policies may affect you.

Based on what you know now, how likely are these predictions correct?

Which of these issues are most important to your healthcare?

How will you respond to health policy changes that affect you? What information do you need?

How do you and your family contribute to “making America healthy again”?

Cover Photo

The cover image was created by the AI feature of Jetpack. (affiliate link)

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog and follow me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.