Diet and Health Care Reform - Government or You?

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At any given time, close to 70% of Americans, when asked, are considered to be on a diet. Whether it be keeping a closer eye on what they're consuming, or on a full out change in their nutritional and exercise habits, the majority of Americans fall into the category of being 'on a diet'. How does this relate to the promise of health care reform from the President-elect and soon-to-be new administration? With over 45 million uninsured citizens and rising health care costs, it is one of the biggest factors in addressing the issue of health. And here's why...

First, individuals can only be responsible for factors that are in their own control. Namely, how they eat and the lifestyle they choose - one that supports good health, or one that falls short. On many levels, individual choice is going to result in either increased likelihood of health problems or a much better chance of prevention of sickness and disease. While there are certainly a percentage of health problems that are genetic or brought on by genetic tendencies, excluding trauma cases that require emergency intervention, they account for a very small percentage of the total dollars spent on health care. A healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, good sources of fiber, plenty of water, and one that is void of fried foods, fast foods, soft drinks, and processed food, is one that will support good health and help in the prevention of sickness, and in the long run, disease. A lifestyle that includes plenty of regular excercise, no tobacco, a minimum of alcohol, and includes habits such as adequate sleep, a strong spiritual life, and even meaningful goals, is also one that will support good health. These are not things for which any entity or group or person can hold any one individual accountable. A healthy lifestyle must be chosen and followed, and the benefits will be realized in many forms.

Second, with so many uninsured Americans believing, or being sold on the idea, that health care reform is somehow going to make their life better, the problems of health do not go away just by having affordable access to a physician. The problems still remain and the issue will still be the same - without a healthy lifestyle, you can't expect to be healthy. A visit to a doctor is not going to change that, only a change in habits will, barring the exceptions noted.

Lastly, with more Americans choosing to live healthy, the rising costs of health care will eventually subside. Why? Because drug companies will put their focus on those conditions that have the highest need, instead of trying to create a pill for every so called health 'problem' that has a ICD code - that is a diagnostic code (here's a reference to give you some idea -- ICD Codes. 'Health Care' has gotten so out of hand, and probably abused, from visits for a sniffle to a stubbed toe, that the industry has exploited the very existence of human beings, practically labelling anyone as unhealthy or posessing some sort of condition that requires a subscription or other intervention, until proven otherwise. Sounds absurd, but if you take a look at the number of conditions that there is a diagnostic code for, you'll understand. So with more Americans focused on taking responsibility for their own health and doing what's necessary to live healthy, the demand for health care goes down, and hence the cost.

While health care reform is not a bad thing, the basic premise of reform for sake of getting everyone access to 'health care' should not be the final goal. Certainly, making health care affordable is not such a bad goal, but going about it with a shotgun approach (just shooting/cutting/eliminating everything that looks expensive or unnecessary) is not productive either.

Here's a somewhat general idea that should be followed if reform is to be done. One, a full analysis of drugs that are on the market and their costs should be done - to determine a) the degree of importance, and b) the reimbursement rate. Obviously, medications like antiobiotics may be one of the more important to make the list, and certainly some chemotherapy ones, as examples. These types of drugs could be classified as those that get a different reimbursement rate, while those that are not life-saving get a different one. That way, only those that offer some form of 'real' treatment for a 'real' problem are fully paid for, while those that just 'help' a symptom are not. A second and probably not so popular guideline, would be to cap the lawsuits that are brought against doctors and insurers. Let's face it, if you're not a lawyer, you'd probably agree with the general attitude most people have toward lawyers. Why is it that someone always has to pay when someone gets hurt, only with the lawyers getting most of it anyway. When it comes down to it, lawsuits have been a big reason for the rising costs of health care. Just ask a doctor why his or her premiums are so high. Some doctors don't want to practice in some states because their premiums have sored so high with their specialty. Lawsuits have made only one profession richer - lawyers. And lastly, make a mandate that every person be given a physical exam to determine their level of health and fitness (subject to certain criteria, of course). Those who are healthy would pay less for health care, while those who are not pay more. Aren't those who are healthy now essentially footing a portion of the bill for those who aren't? Ok, we aren't a heartless society that doesn't help those less fortunate, but in some way there needs to be incentive or some sort of mandate for healthy living. Be it employer programs that require 1 hour a day 3 times a week for exercise, or a specific diet implementation - even if it's just required fruit and vegetable consumption - that can be followed, and where real results can be measured...that may make a big difference.

Bottom line: Don't wait for some government reform to make life better for you, no matter what the issue. Take charge and responsibility, as you have Unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. It is in your best interest to pursue a life of health and fitness.

The Health & Wellness Institute

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