Since graduating from college, I've worked for a hospital, the state health department and now an insurance company. You would think if anyone would know the right answer for health care reform, I'd have it. Of course, if I did, you'd have heard of it by now.
The truth is, I support the idea and the need for change. It is a broken system. But what is even more broken than that is our nation's disregard for our health. People under the age of 50 should not be on 12 different medications. Kids should not be overweight, never mind obese, with diabetes and high blood pressure. It makes me sad. And sick.
When I taught at the high school here, kids were clueless about what is healthy and what is not. I think it's hard for people to decipher some things but there's one unmistakable, undeniable truth: moving more makes you more healthy. As a personal trainer, I heard all kinds of bullshit excuses as to why and they are all just that: bullshit. If you're lazy, at least admit it.
But I digress. This was meant to be a post about reform.
Making insurance more affordable is good. People should have a medical home. Families need to have a family doctor, not the emergency room. But giving more people access to care is not going to reduce health care costs.
We have an aging workforce. People get sick more as they age. 60% of the country is overweight or obese. 30% of kids are now overweight or obese. What's going to happen when those overweight kids grow up and get jobs? Will they all of a sudden be healthy and thin and active? It's not likely. They'll come to college with chronic disease, then go out into the workforce with chronic disease. Things will likely get worse before they get better.
What we need is more PE in schools; trails and fitness options in every community; flexible hours so people can exercise during the work day; safe routes to schools so kids can walk or bike to school again; nutrition education for every age group because even after all this time, people still don't get it. Cafeterias on worksites and in school need to serve healthy food. You know, I grew up on crap like fried chicken and fries just like the rest of you but things are different now. Kids don't play like they did when we were kids. I was outside constantly as a kid, riding my bike or playing basketball or exploring... kids have to eat better at a younger age.
Last but not least, parents need to suck it up and be parents. As in, you are in charge of your kid, not the other way around. You buy the food, you determine the rules, you sit on your butt every night watching reality TV or you get up and walk or play or move.
There are so many things that need to change before things will get better, I just don't think the President's focus is on the right part of reform. It will be interesting to watch it all play out over the next ten years.
3 comments:
I completely agree that the attitude towards health in this country needs to drastically change. And while it's not much, I think some of that change is starting to happen.
But I also think that fixing the currently broken insurance system is something that must be done as well.
(I was about to go on for another couple of paragraphs, but I realized that it's mostly supporting your ideas and redundant--I'm sure you can guess my feelings towards this. So I'll just leave it to say: Keep fighting the good fight. It's people like you that will help fix our problems.)
The parent issue is huge in this. I run partially because I was raised by people who ran- I grew up attending races. And I was encouraged to be in sports and to explore my athletic side. I may not always master healthy eating but it could be worse. Parents need to model activity and include their children in activity. And parents need to model healthy food choices.
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