Healthcare Reform

There is a raging debate in the U.S. about reforming healthcare. I wish everyone had access to good medical care. Insurance is a very iffy thing—even when you have it, you probably don't have what you think you have and even if you have really good insurance, it is byzantine to actually get them to pay out. I don't know how people who are dealing with life threatening illnesses manage to cope with recalcitrant insurance companies also. There are countries with nationalized healthcare and it seems to work rather well for them. This is not being proposed for the U.S. though because the insurance industry has way too much politcal clout. What is being proposed is a requirement for everyone to have insurance and for those who can't afford it, government subsidies. It sounds to me like a rather mild requirement. I would think that the insurance companies would be ecstatic to have everyone required to buy their product and if they can't afford to pay for it, then they will have access to bottomless government coffers. My two questions are: Will requiring everyone in the U.S. to have health insurance actually make us healthier? For some, it probably will—people with chronic conditions will have access to keep the condition under controll. But will they? Will they stop smoking? Eating junk? Drinking in excess? Drugs? Will they drag their big butts away from the television and go for a walk? I rather doubt it. Most simply want a pill to make them well. The second question is: How will the insurance companies deal with 50 million or so new customers? Will they continue their abysmal customer service? I rather think so; if everyone is required to purchase insurance, what incentive do they have to provide excellent service to bring in new clients?
So what is the point of this rambling rumination? My bottom line is that you'd darn well look after your own health because you really are the only one you can depend on. If you smoke, stop now; if you eat Twinkies for breakfast, oatmeal is quick and cheap; if you can walk, just do it. Also, investigate alternatives—meditation, alternative meds such is niacin for cholesterol, bicarb for stomach acid, plain aspirin for headaches. Make friends with your local pharmacist, learn to use the internet for health information, check out books from the library on nutrition and first aid. And stop whining, count your blessings, and do something for someone less fortunate than yourself.