Let’s Change the way we see Health Care

Rather than argue over who pays for what and who gets health insurance or access to care, and who doesn’t, maybe we need to step back and ask different questions, starting with…

“Is basic health care a human right, or is it an earned privilege?”

And if people can’t afford it, does that mean they aren’t working hard enough, aren’t determined enough, or are just Losers and don’t deserve it?

People in politics often criticize people in entertainment for using their fame to promote policy changes to help humanity. Maybe they could learn from looking in the mirror and listening to young Michael Jackson.

Economics

If morality and the “I’ve got mine” world view is not enough for you, consider the economics that effect everyone. Yes, hospitals must pass on the cost of indigent care somehow to the rest of us, but there’s an even bigger picture. The U.S. spends $4.3 trillion/year on health care. As per capita spending or a percent of GDP, that is twice what other rich nations spend on average. But still, we still live sicker and die younger. Clearly, we aren’t getting our money’s worth, and if we were to just become “average,” we’d save over $2 trillion/year, which we could just save or invest elsewhere.

Speaking of investment, if we as a nation saw health reform as a part of a strategic investment in a healthy, skilled, and more-productive workforce, we’d likely make different policy decisions in how we address food production, exercise options, pollution, sleep wellness and stress management, and other determinants of health. Those investments would likely result in improved corporate profits and economic growth measured in GDP, and with a high return on investment.