7.2.09
In his latest newsletter, Dr John McDougall outlined what he would do if he designed a health plan. All I have to say is I’d sign up. There is no doubt that lifestyle choices constitute a large percentage of the reason people need prescriptions and care (how much do we spend on statins?).
The typical excuse is that people won’t make the lifestyle changes necessary so giving them a pill is the only way to keep them from a catastrophic health event. I wrote about this problem and McDougall discussing it previously as he attached the NEJM Statin study which recommended proactive daily intake of a statin combo drug (which conveniently the researching author stood to gain millions if this suggestion were widely adopted).
The other big excuse I hear when debating this is “it’s genetic.” Ok then, let’s try trimming fat, calories, exercising more, and reducing the intake of unhealthy cholesterol-filled food and THEN see if it’s really genetic. Don’t put out a 300 lb person and simply dismiss this idea with “it’s genetic.” (Don’t we Americans just love one liners? “It’s genetic” or “I can’t help it” or “green shoots;” we love the quick phrase answer).
being a fan of liberty, I don’t want to make people do anything but certainly if people CHOOSE a dietary lifestyle that is detrimental to their health, they should pay more for insurance. Or put more positively, good health milestones as the result of a person’s choices should be rewarded with insurance discounts (I don’t mean genetic problems, I mean lifestyle choices – and YES it’s harder for some people to lose weight than others but there are skinny people with bad cholesterol and each person has their own talents – some can run faster, think quicker, joke easier, type speedier than others – we’re human we have to deal with this).
I doubt however whether this kind of medical plan would come into effect. I expect something more along the lines of more money for pills, gastric bypasses, heart bypasses, stents, etc. The voter would never go for a plan that would encourage lifestyle change and save money. So we will get what we get and in an aging country, we’re going to get BIG bills, whether daddy Obama and the guv’mint pays for it or if private insurers pay for it – WE WILL GET THE BILL.
The only way out of higher medical costs (and MUCH higher taxes – taxes so high you will cry) is to relocate to a younger country!
Chris Grande
