Health Care Crisis Solved
I have the solution to the health care crisis in America. It has nothing to do with letting consumers buy insurance from companies in other states, and it does not involve government mandated universal coverage. These things may help bring costs down and cover the uninsured, and they may not. I don't know. Quite frankly, I don't understand half of what the stuffed suits in Washington are talking about these days, and I have a sneaking feeling that most of them don't understand either.
To bring down the cost of health care in this country we have to reduce demand. When demand for a service or product goes down it creates a surplus of supply. Thus, the law of supply and demand dictates that when demand decreases, supply increases, and prices go down. I'll let the politicians try to figure out how to increase supply and competition, but all Americans can reduce their demand for health care by doing the following:
- Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if necessary.
- Be active. Get some exercise.
- Don't smoke or stop if you do.
- Don't drink and drive.
- Drive the speed limit.
- Get an annual physical
Imagine the amount of illnesses that are caused by obesity, drunk driving, car accidents, and smoking. There are many health concerns of which we have no control. We can't change our genetics (not yet anyway), we can't control other drivers on the road, and we can't always avoid bad luck, but if we take control of the things we can change we can solve this crisis.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I must say that I am working on the first two points in my plan, and that I have a lot of work to do in these areas, but I am already seeing an improvement in my overall health now that I am trying to eat a healthy diet and exercise.
The Government cannot solve all our problems, and lately it seems that it can't solve any problems. Whether it's fighting terrorism, reversing global warming, or solving the health care crisis; we all must make sacrifices and do our part. It may sound cliché, but united we stand, divided we fall.
February 28th, 2010 - 04:16
I do all of those virtues you listed and still pay $16,000/yr for health insurance.
$16,000. Per. Year.
And my premiums go up around 10-15%/yr.
And my coverage gets reduced every year.
And I can’t get any other coverage due to a pre-existing condition of a family member.
And it looks like even the Democrats in DC are on the take by the Insurance Co’s.
So, yes, I agree that we must all take personal responsibility to be healthy but I also buy a car for these guys every year and for that I expect impeccable and transparent service. Instead I get headaches and the runaround.
They have stacked the deck for years and now I expect the Feds to step in and rein in the cost of premiums, at the very least. Whether it’s creating competition with a public option or a cap, I care not. The private insurance industry is a scam of Mafia proportions and deserve whatever legislation is levied onto them. They should all rot from the inside out.
March 6th, 2010 - 11:28
One problem is that, even if we do all we can to maintain good health, we will all eventually get sick and we will all eventually die. Sooner or later, we will have to deal with the ‘cost-of-goods’ part of the equation.
March 6th, 2010 - 20:04
We will all eventually die?! But, I eat organic rice… :-)