| |
|
Article Directory :: Politics & Government Articles
Health care reform is on the tip of everyone's tongue this week. The debates in Congress and the attempt to pass some kind of legislation that most Congress members have not even read, let alone understood, is the news leader. I was lucky enough this week to be present for Mike Huckabee's keynote speech to the American Podiatric Medical Association in Toronto, Canada. The former governor from Arkansas inspired and encouraged the APMA to discuss more than health care reform but to think of revolutionary health reform in the United States as the answer to our health care woes.
What does he mean by health reform? He encouraged the physicians to stop thinking about fixing the health care system. The system isn't broken. It is actually considered the best in the world. If you start discussing socialized medicine overseas, you will quickly realize that most wealthy foreigners would rather have surgery or cancer treatment in the US than in their own countries. We don't need to fix the system; we just need to work on unhealthy American habits. The combination of obesity, lack of exercise and smoking, lead to most of our chronic health problems in the US. The system is overwhelmed by chronic disease! Why not come up with a system that encourages healthy living, therefore decreasing chronic disease and actually increasing productivity in the country?
Mike Huckabee knows a lot about unhealthy living and its consequences. Several years ago he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and was told he was now in the last decade of his life. His physician outlined what death by diabetes looked like and encouraged him to take control of his future. He lost an incredible amount of weight, starting eating better, and even started running for exercise. Multiple marathons later, he is no longer a diabetic and is healthier than he has been in years. Mike Huckabee took control of his health and wants every American to experience this life-changing heath makeover.
Why do most Americans have unhealthy habits? Is it laziness? Is it hereditary? Is it social? Actually it is a combination of all of these things in most people. We need to encourage healthier lifestyles and teach our children the importance of healthy choices. Multiple studies have shown that regular exercise including around three hours of aerobic exercise and an hour of strength training each week leads to decreased depression, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. This has been well documented, but most Americans are not listening.
How can we encourage healthier life styles and off load the currently overwhelmed health care system? How about an overhaul of the health insurance system with incentives for healthy choices? I do not believe in penalizing people for obesity or smoking, but how about incentive discounts for a healthy BMI, non-smoking and regular exercise? Just like when car insurance companies give discounts for safe driving records. We could even put an accumulative healthy point system with sliding scale premiums for regular checkup and prevention programs.
Think of what this type of system would look like. The current reforms of the health care system being discussed will lead to a two tier system where the wealthy will have the best care and the rest will be stuck with the socialist model which has been shown not to work in many, many other countries. If we focus more of health reform instead of care reform, we can decrease the load on the current system, decrease health care expenditures and actually have a healthier, happier, and more productive society. Political parties aside, call or write your representatives and let them know you are unhappy with this rushed consideration of the most important legislation in decades. Let us not quickly put in place a program doomed for disaster that will significantly decrease the standard of care in the American health care system. Let us uplift the health of the American people instead.
Dr Marybeth Crane is a board certified podiatric foot and ankle surgeon specializing in sports medicine. Your feet should last a lifetime! For more foot health tips, a copy of her new book "If Your Running Feet Could Talk" and doctor-approved foot care products, visit her website or read her blog. Your body will thank you for it!
 EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here
More articles by Dr Marybeth Crane
|
Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy Now:
Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!
Click For Details
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - General
Computers & Technology
Finance & Investment
Food & Drink
Health & Fitness
Home & Family
Internet Marketing/Online Business
Legal
Pets & Animals
Politics & Government
Reference & Education
Religion & Faith
Self-Improvement/Motivation
Social
Sports & Recreation
Travel & Leisure
Writing & Speaking
|
More political articles: - Gift Giving: The Pet Lover (Claire Dimmit)
If you are being frustrated by trying to find the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life, you should not give up. Here are a few ideas that can spur your imagination enabling you to find the perfect gift. - The Battle Of Puebla And Cinco De Mayo (Robert Nickel)
Why does the United States celebrate every May 5, or Cinco de Mayo? It's only a regional holiday in Mexico, and is often mistaken to be the commemoration of their Independence Day (which is actually in September). The roots of these festivities go back to the French invasion in 1862, and a decisive initial victory against Napoleon III's forces. - Agustin I: The First Mexican Emperor (Robert Nickel)
The First Emperor of Mexico's regime was the first attempt at a Spain-free governing structure, and it failed fairly quickly. His reign had lasted roughly ten months before collapsing, and while it didn't accomplish a great deal in terms of infrastructure, it marked the true start of the divide between the centrist conservative and the democratic liberal political parties. - The Incredible Work of Benito Juarez (Robert Nickel)
A great deal of Mexico's liberal reforms in the 19th century - the separation of church and state, the proclamation of all citizens as equal in the eyes of the law and the establishment of a market-driven social system, among other things, would not have been possible without the leadership of Benito Juarez. Once an illiterate shepherd, this Zapotec native rose to become a lawyer and eventually ended up involved in some of the most important... - How Maximilian I Became Emperor Of Mexico (Robert Nickel)
It might not be a commonly known fact, but Mexico was, at two separate points, a monarchy; each reign lasted less than five years and was filled with revolts, infighting, and puppet rulers. The first Mexican Empire took place shortly after the country won its independence from Spain in 1821, but collapsed less than eight months after its establishment. The second attempt was the result of Napoleon III's invasion in 1862... - All About the Reform Wars (Robert Nickel)
In the years following Mexico's War of Independence, a question arose among the newly freed citizens as to how the newly free nation should be governed. Two ideologies emerged: the liberals wished to establish a democratic, secular government with a constitution similar to that of the United States of America... - Who Was Empress Carlota? (Robert Nickel)
For a very brief period of time in Mexico's long and turbulent history, they were ruled by Emperor Maximilian I and his consort, Empress Carlota. This regime was doomed to end in a bloody manner almost from the start, as they had been crowned after an invasion by France and were stuck in between an unfairly deposed liberal party and the conservative conspirators who disliked their practices. - The Reign And Downfall Of Mexico's Last Emperor (Robert Nickel)
When Napoleon III invaded Mexico in 1862, he had the support of certain members of the country's conservative party. Politically, the republic had been wracked with civil war and disputes over ideological reform, and the Imperialists wished to return to a monarchy. The French put the Austrian Archduke Maximilian on the throne in 1864; his reign lasted just over three years... - What Is Obama Care? (Wrath Warbone)
The Affordable Health Care Act seeks to put an end to the spiarling cost of health care in the United States.
We Automatically Distribute Articles
To Thousands Of Publishers And Web Sites:
Submit Article
All content is viewed and used by you at your own risk and we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of any of the information. The views expressed are those of the individual contributing authors and not necessarily those of this web site, or its owner, Takanomi Limited.
|
|
