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I would think a more prevention oriented health care system for the state MediCal program would save the state a lot of money while still guaranteeing medical care for those who need it. It would also prevent a lot of suffering, as we all know taking pills for lifestyle related diseases is never as good as not getting the disease in the first place.
Are there any lib/progressive groups out there pushing for this that I don't just don't know about?
The article from Live Science below says healthier lifestyles could reduce:
--diabetes by 93%
--heart disease by 81%
--cancer by 36%
Location: San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
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What is known as "Obamacare" first envisioned precisely what you are talking about, but, a segment of the political spectrum funded heavily by the drug industry opposed preventative medicine, and you know who those guys are.
The profits are in drugging people, not in keeping them from needing drugs in the first place.
A major reason the law is screwed up is because the Republicans opposed pretty much every part of it, so the bill was assembled with conditions least opposed by Republicans. They got the best of both worlds, they have tried to repeal it because it is a "bad" law, and they worked tirelessly to make sure it was a bad law.
Though not a self identified "progressive", I would respond to your question by asking what type of policy changes would you suggest?
Are you suggesting something like exist is Japan?
Under national law, companies and local governments must now measure the waistlines of Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups...
Those exceeding government limits, 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women, which are identical to thresholds established in 2005 for Japan by the International Diabetes Federation as an easy guideline for identifying health risks — and having a weight-related ailment will be given dieting guidance if after three months they do not lose weight. If necessary, those people will be steered toward further re-education after six more months.
What is known as "Obamacare" first envisioned precisely what you are talking about, but, a segment of the political spectrum funded heavily by the drug industry opposed preventative medicine, and you know who those guys are.
The profits are in drugging people, not in keeping them from needing drugs in the first place.
A major reason the law is screwed up is because the Republicans opposed pretty much every part of it, so the bill was assembled with conditions least opposed by Republicans. They got the best of both worlds, they have tried to repeal it because it is a "bad" law, and they worked tirelessly to make sure it was a bad law.
You would find life much more enriching if you took the time to understand and respect the opinions of folks with points of view that differ from your own.
It is sad to say, but I feel like there was one chance to get a baseline level of heathcare for eveyone, and that failed.
Now we are waiting for Justice Kennedy to decide if Obama's half-assed healthcare plan is Constitutional or not.
As for the prevention model it still costs money and politicians are very hesitant to spend any of that.
On another note there was an interesting article in the New Yorker that focused on a plan to reduce health care costs by giving the neediest patients better care.
This is obviously different than a standard prevention model, but it is something that could be implemented without political interference.
You would find life much more enriching if you took the time to understand and respect the opinions of folks with points of view that differ from your own.
He does have a point, the GOP did block the original reform.
However, if we look at the big picture as a whole and without bias, the Democrats too are guilty as they are not immune to the pull of special interest money which in the past has included the drug companies highnlight is speaking of.
I don't think there is any law that can force people to change their lifestyle. Take a look at the current lifestyle we have in America. We are the cornerstone of fast foods restaurants, relying on transportation by cars, and the least active physically when we are compared to other industrialized countries. We continue to consume large amount of meat and while eating less vegetables and fruits. On top of all that, we consume the chemicals and preservatives that we can't even pronounce.
On the other hand, I don't want the government to dictate what we can or cannot eat, much like the bay area banning McDonald's Happy Meals when the parents should be the ones to make that decision.
One of my points here would be that the assumption that preventive health care saves money may not be fully correct. Obviously things like smoking and obesity (as opposed to being somewhat overweight) are clearly health issues, but preventive care may have been erroneously identified as a cost saving measure:
Insurers will be required to cover checkups and other preventive care.
"Insurance companies will be required to cover routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies — because there’s no reason we shouldn't be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse," Obama said. "That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives."
It may make sense and save lives, but does it save money? Experts say no.
The head of the Congressional Budget Office, however has found that "The evidence suggests that for most preventive services, expanded utilization leads to higher, not lower, medical spending overall," CBO director Douglas Elmendorf wrote in an Aug. 7 letter to Rep. Nathan Deal.
In addition, healthy lifestyle choices such as exercise often lead to injuries, especially over the long term. There is a cost associated with procedures to fix injuries too.
Location: San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
6,390 posts, read 9,682,084 times
Reputation: 2622
Quote:
You would find life much more enriching if you took the time to understand and respect the opinions of folks with points of view that differ from your own.
I do not consider them "folks with points of view that differ from my own" I consider them as people whose failed policies have brought this country to near ruin, as people who have opposed everything that has made America America, including the very country and its constitution itself. I consider them as people who have contributed nothing to this republic other than being stones in the road.
Lincoln was wrong, he should have let the Confederacy go.
Lincoln was wrong, he should have let the Confederacy go.
That's the key
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