Like approximately half the country, I was thrilled when the health care reform bill finally passed a few weeks ago. Also like approximately half the country, though, I felt it wasn’t good enough—that there was something missing.
But this week, the aspect of health care reform I was really looking forward to came to pass. In a sort of under-the-radar move, Congress passed a set of initiatives for healthy behavior and disease prevention.
YES. Now I’m even more thrilled. Don’t get me wrong, a brand new reform bill that improves health care in this country is fantastic.
But all the laws in the initial reform were essentially “sick care” moves—laws that will improve health care once people are already sick.
Here’s a novel idea: why not take steps to make sure people aren’t getting as sick in the first place?
Well, they’ve done it, and it’s about time.
Here’s a few of the new laws that will be in place: chain restaurants will be required to have nutrition information available on their menus.
Insurance companies will have to completely cover all recommended screenings, vaccines and other preventive care.
Medicaid will provide free counseling to help pregnant women stop smoking.
Most awesomely, in my opinion: a federal trust fund will go toward building more bicycle paths, hiking trails, playgrounds and sidewalks.
Anyone who’s not particularly health conscious or physically active might smirk at these changes, and it’s easy to see why. We’ve got an enormous deficit in this country; why waste money on swings and seesaws?
But that’s exactly the point. America is a fat, unhealthy country. If we undermine changes such as the ones listed above, it’s simply because we fail to recognize their importance.
I believe that preventive care initiatives will actually save America money (you like that phrase, don’t you?). Think about it: if we take the extra trouble to eat better, exercise a little, and get regular screenings for cancer (and for god’s sake, throw out the cigarettes), there will be less people in the hospital, hooked up to life support because they didn’t care about their health when they still had it.
There will be more children outside playing if they actually have decent equipment on which to do it.
There will be fewer babies born with birth defects because their mothers didn’t take care of themselves while pregnant.
Perhaps I’m being a bit too idealistic about all of this. And yes, maybe I am a little biased: I’m a runner and a dancer; I dabble in tennis and rollerblading when I can find the time. I try to eat healthfully; fast food doesn’t factor into my diet but perhaps once every few months.
I’m a big believer in sunscreen, seat belts and bicycle helmets. I grew up tromping around in the woods with my parents on long hikes, after which my mom would feed us organic peanut butter on whole-wheat pita bread.
So, yeah, “health nut” could kind of be applied to me.
But, regardless of the long-term effects, regardless of how they may affect you personally, the preventive care initiatives are a step in the right direction.
Making health care better and more affordable is a great thing. But it’s keeping people healthy in the first place that makes the most difference.
3 comments
Not the purpose of medicaidThere will be more children outside playing if they actually have decent equipment on which to do it.
Maybe in mayberry but not everywhere. What about the neighborhoods where the kids don't play outside for fear of violence?But all the laws in the initial reform were essentially “sick care” moves
Did you actually read the whole bill?