Washington Needs New Healthcare Debate ( Armstrong Williams )

newsmax.com ^ | April 24, 2008 | Armstrong Williams

[kellynla]

As the financial burden of healthcare continues to rise in this country, universal coverage consumes Washington’s health policy conversation.

However, discussions on the measures that promote personal responsibility and prevent diseases from their onset are rarely held. If Congress is so determined to make healthcare affordable, the focus needs a shift to avoid these expenses in the first place. After all, 75 percent of healthcare costs are prescribed to preventable diseases and problems such as obesity and diabetes, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

But wait, if eating right, exercising, and regular screenings contribute to long-term health and cost savings, then why are these practices largely avoided by the American masses? Correct eating habits, for instance, have not changed for nearly 20 years, as 75 percent of Americans still don’t get enough fruits and vegetables in their diets.

Although constantly bombarded with the notion that we need to improve the way we eat, many people still lack the resources and knowledge to know what a healthy diet actually consists of or even how to achieve it.

Equally problematic, physical activity has hardly improved since 1990. However, with obesity rates doubling in the past 10 years, daily physical activity has become more important than ever. Further, over half of the CDC’s recommendations for preventing diseases advise Americans to participate in clinical screenings.

Many of these tests can indicate disease possibilities up to 10 years prior to the illness actually plaguing the individual, but several don’t take advantage of the information.

Failing to practice healthy lifestyles has led to an increase in chronic diseases and healthcare costs. Although Type II diabetes is almost completely preventable, the amount of cases doubled to 20.8 million over the past 15 years, costing $174 billion in 2007 alone.

[kellynla]

Solution: Until Congress passes Fair Tax, there should be an income tax deduction for medical insurance payments.

[Mygirlsmom]

Although constantly bombarded with the notion that we need to improve the way we eat, many people still lack the resources and knowledge to know what a healthy diet actually consists of or even how to achieve it.

Stoopid Ameruhkinz.

[littlehouse36]

I’m still waiting for the Global Warming debate.

[Mygirlsmom]

I’m still waiting for the Global Warming debate.

Don't hold your breath!

Oh, wait, that's what they WANT you to do, isn't it--you carbon-polluter you!

[Just A Nobody]

...the focus needs a shift to avoid these expenses in the first place.

The focus needs to shift to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!
The answer is NOT to resort to fascist laws dictating what you can and can not eat/smoke/drink, how often you MUST exercise and what hobbies you may or may not participate in.

As the pro-abortion folks once said; "Get your hands off my body!"

Get the government OUT of the healthcare business and let the markets take care of the costs. Individuals should be personally responsible for their health and it's care. If they are too poor or stupid to do so, the charity hospitals will take care of them like they did quite admirably for 200 years.

It is alarming to me that more sheeple do not see this "healthcare debate" as just another way to deprive us of our freedoms!