If You're Not Part Of The Healthcare Cost Solution, You're Part Of The Problem Comments

This is a very interesting discussion. The drug companies and the insurance companies are making billions of dollars, I hope we all agree on that. Agreed, people need to be more responsible for their health and wellness. However, that is not the answer to the COST of health care. The money part of the problem has to do with our government supporting free health care for illegal immigrants and all others who abuse the health care system in this country. The problem is that the wealthy have access to health care. The poor and the illegal immigrants have access to it because it is free to them. It's all the working class people that are hard at work who are getting the short end of the stick. And, ironically, we tend to be among the healthiest groups in the population. If our government put a halt to this "everyone is entitled to whatever they want no matter what the cost to the rest of the country" attitude, things would be much better.

Ewilson, you spend too much time reading government statistics (and on this site). You are so busy believing every Study and Statistic by any agency out there online, that you can’t see what’s out here in the real world. You still won’t tell us what you found in your insurance packet, either. Why do you continually argue subjects you have no understanding or comprehension of? As for your statistic you have not sited your reference (once again). I certainly am not the exception, you and your parents are. I have way too much company. Perhaps you would see that if you were involved in your community. People are losing their homes. There are 3 bank owned homes on my street (and I live in an area where the AMI is above the National average. Do you think these people who lost their homes are still paying their healthcare insurance? I don’t even think the majority of these people even have jobs now. So where is your 87% coming from and what is it based on? And stop calling that phony a Doctor. Wouldn’t you be able to do an accurate, unbiased, independent study on how many children and families are uninsured? You could support your research with the unemployment rate, the economy, the mortgage crises and the basic cost of healthcare in general. Your math doesn’t add up. Have your boss or HR department to break it down how much it costs to insure you, your co-workers AND still run a business. I hope you’re job is safe and that your company doesn’t have to layoff anyone. It’s happening left and right and no one is safe in these times. It is an awful thing to have to lay people off that really don't have anywhere else to go in these times. And will you ever answer any direct questions? Ever? When are you going to read your insurance plan and tell me what it says about coverage of terminal illnesses? I know you won’t because it won't support your theory or your argument.

Kathy, sounds like you've got it tough. You're the exception though, not the rule. Of 300 million Americans, only 40 million are uninsured. That's roughly 13%. I think DrHealth is addressing the 87% of people who do have insurance and make poor health choices. Regarding having a business and two kids, I know plenty of people, including my parents, who worked full time, long hours, and still stayed in shape. We all have choices in our life. You chose to own a business that takes up all your time. It's not right or wrong. It's what you decided to do with your life. You do have options though. No one in the United States is trapped. That's what I love about this country. Anyone can structure their life any way they want.

Sure wouldn’t it be great to get 8 hours of sleep a night and rest on my days off… oh, but wait, I can’t do that, I own my own business. I also know plenty of people who have children or work two jobs who realistically can’t do that either and discipline has nothing to do with it. The system is being depleted by our aging baby-boomers and the overwhelming majority of children who’s parents do not have (can’t afford) medical insurance. NOT BY people with preventive health care issues. “dr.health” you are not a doctor and should NOT be calling yourself one. I don’t know where you are seeing all these people with the health issues from poor diets, but I see 100’s of infants and children the MediCal offices everyday. I see my aging parents go without heart medication and charging their Dr’s visits to their credit cards. I hate to say this but these parents probably will use their vouchers for processed foods as opposed to fresh fruit and vegetables. Which probably will lead to obesity or diabetes. What do I do without private coverage? I choose not to get mammograms, I choose not to go on as many vacations as I’d like to. I choose not to ski, I choose not to hike. I am extremely careful of what kind of exercise I do. I worry A LOT that some idiot will fly through the intersection and hit my car…. WHILE I’M IN IT! These are some of the things “I DO” because I can’t afford insurance. What do you do? Oh, I also have to pay more for prescriptions that have nothing to do with my diet and I don’t go to the doctor. I tough it out when I drop a bag of groceries on my foot and brake some toes. I would like you to research how many people vs. how many that don’t, who are depleting the system dry as you say they are. I don’t think it’s as high as you think. Ewilson, did you ever read your insurance plan??

I think prevention is a lot simpler than people think, but it's hard to have the discipline to do it. People need to eat better including salad (real salad, not iceberg lettuce) and fruits twice a day; essentially with every meal. And they need to exercise 4-5 times per week. Also, managing stress and getting enough sleep I think are important. People know this, but they lack the discipline to do it. Like I said in my last comment, I think some government policies that put pressure on restaurants and food manufacturers to make healthier food would help. Also, I think employers should be encouraged somehow (maybe with tax breaks) to foster exercise and stress management amongst employees. Sure, the insurance companies are hiking prices and the healthcare system needs a lot of work, but I think at least half of that would be helped from people living a healthier lifestyle.

I haven't heard from anyone as to specifically what they would do on a daily basis personally to live a more preventive healthful lifestyle so they could limit the amount of medications, doctor visits and hospital stays. Does anyone have a plan that they think works? Do you feel you are not empowered in this area or this just isn't realistic and it really wouldn't make a big enough difference anyway? drhealth

I am not a doctor but I have been involved in wellness health product and consulting solutions for doctors, hospitals, fitness and corp health programs for 20+ years. I agree with WellNow, and EWilson. I see healthcare headed in the same direction as Social Security. The money is going to run dry one day. Yes, more and more companies are not able to afford health insurance or individuals. I saw too many people wanting to live how they want and expect the system to be responsible for paying for it. I want to know what are people willing to do if their healthcare and costs was up to themselves? Do you believe that the healthcare system has created some of the problems by making us too dependent on it for all the answers? I know we all can be more empowered to living more healthfully on our own without as much reliance on the "system". drhealth

It seems as though our country has been focused on "treatment" as opposed to prevention for a very long time. A hospital administrator the other day said that he was in the "sickness" business?!? So, people wait until they are sick and then head to the emergency room with or without insurance. Either way, everyone pays. Why not provide access so folks can do preventative work and make it affordable? We do preventative work on our cars and homes, but, some how, neglect our most important asset: us. We have a solution. Folks participate in memberships that allow them access to all types of health/wellness services. Everyone is accepted. No denials. We are trying to play a part in helping folks who have no insurance as well as those who do, but can't afford to use it. Project Wellness. Our response from small business, individuals and families has been great and we see it as a trend. We at Project Wellness want people to have choice in their services and use the services. Don't wait to meet your deductible and then have the insurance company decide what is and isn't covered. Let's make it health CARE and no simply health COST . . . <url removed> . . . Steve

EWilson, do you and drhealth really think health care costs will go down if we all eat nuts and berries and do Yoga? No, they won’t. We will be healthier and live longer, but these companies will still find a way to raise rates or deny coverage. Why is it that you think unhealthy lifestyles contribute to rising health care costs when the industry DOESN’T even cover these diseases fully? If you have insurance, look at your coverage. It’s all there in black and white. Yes, eating poorly is unwise and costly in many ways. The rising cost of health care is not because they are covering everyone who has lung cancer, diabetes or heart disease. And just for giggles, 20 migraine capsules were $34 for me the other night. I asked for 10 (b/c I don’t have insurance) they told me 10 would cost $25. The pharm tech actually said prices are based in bulk. These companies are out of control. Eat healthy, just be realistic when it comes to Big Business.

DrHealth has a good point. If people would exercise and eat better, we wouldn't have a health crisis. Doctors have said it for years: the health crisis is caused by an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and poor diet (and higher stress lifestyles). We can't blame the individual alone though. The "system" which is all of us, needs to put programs and laws into to place to encourage prevention. Just like speed limits, most humans are too stupid and shortsighted to see the effects of their actions in the distant future. That's why we have speed limits and laws, because people need to be protected from themselves. So a little help from policy would probably help solve the problem better than paying for everyone's healthcare. Free healthcare is a bandaid if people keep eating poorly, not exercising, and not managing their stress. That's my two cents.