The main focus of health care should be prevention. Prevention starts with a healthy diet rich in whole food, raw fruits and vegetables. Because most people don't, won't, or can't get enough fruits and vegetables in their diet, I recommend Juice Plus+®. A concentrate of nutrients from fruits and vegetables, Juice Plus+® is made using a variety of raw, ripened, whole food fruits and vegetables.
The key is health care reform is to focus on what health care should be - care for your own health! That is, not to find a solution so that every procedure, doctor visit, treatment plan, diagnostic tool, and medical care approach can be covered for every citizen (or alien as the case may be) in the country. That is just plain stupid, and will definitely bankrupt the US - financially, physically, and mentally. This from the Post-Tribune --
President Obama's current plan is not drastic enough and adds to costs far beyond what other, healthier countries currently pay. But he's right about one thing: Health care will bankrupt the country if changes aren't made.
Among the drastic solutions needed:
* A national health care plan that focuses on preventive measures. The first and best way to cut down on health care costs is to stay healthy. All pre- and post-natal care should be free for everyone.
* Additionally, every American should get free check-ups once a year.
* To pay for this, there needs to be managed care under what is now Medicaid and Medicare. The nearly $400 billion spent each year between those programs goes to pay for reactive or end-of-life care.
Most of what people spend in their entire lives on health care is spent in the last year. They'll pay anything for another six months with Uncle Joe. But by stressing preventive care, it's likely they'll get another five to 10 years with Uncle Joe at half the cost.
It might sound cold, but it's wiser and more humane to get Uncle Joe cholesterol medication in his 40s than a bypass in his 80s.
All of this would be augmented by the current private payer health insurance, although Obama should allow for national competition for insurance.
This country need not spend more on health care.
Instead, we could cut down on federal costs while allowing free-market insurance to continue.
Both the private and public sectors must do better. (Reference)
Comments: The key here is the statement: the first and best way to cut down on health care costs is to stay healthy. There is no government plan that can make you healthy. I'm not sure about the other proposed changes mentioned, but the efforts, time, money must be spent on education and awareness of the damages that certain choices are making on the health of the individuals who are making them, otherwise the consequences will be dire...and they shouldn't be covered based on those poor lifestyle choices. And the estimated costs for the "end-of-life" care makes up such a huge percentage of the total costs, that we need to ask 'why?'. You could conclude that that's where the money is and therefore that's what medical suppliers, drug makers, and hospitals all put there focus and attention. Have you seen the new buildings that are being erected at hospitals for heart and cancer care? Most are for those who have less than a 1% chance of living more than a year, and account for 40% (or more) of their total revenue. My guess is that most people would rather spend their last days in the comfort of their own home rather than being treated like a piece of meat that is bleeded dry...for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most everyone knows someone that has been subjected to the perils of the ICU and the torture that it must be to be 'kept alive' just because insurance will pay for it.
Instead, we should start focusing on a better quality of life, and making healthier choices in order to achieve that quality. This is the only true solution. Whether it is possible is left to be seen.
Dr. J. Patrick Havey
The Health & Wellness Institute, PC
Healthy Solutions for Healthy Living Since 1995
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