How to reduce healthcare costs 101--

[sunspotbaby]

I saw this today and thought it relevant to this discussion.

Ezra Klein - The Persistence of Obesity

This reminds me of Charles Karelis's "The Persistence of Poverty." The basic argument is that the wealthy misunderstand the mental state of the poor, which leads them to make conceptual errors when creating policies to address poverty, or, in this case, obesity. Think of a bee sting, he advises. If you have a single bee sting, you'll go buy some salve to take away the pain. Now imagine three bee stings, a sprained ankle, a burn, a cut, a crick in your neck, a sore throat, and arthritis. Does the bee sting matter anymore?

It is one thing for a successful, financially comfortable, socially accepted and respected person who has multiple things happening every day that are pleasurable (golf, driving a nice car, nice home, stylish clothing, success at work, interesting social events, kids doing well, planning vacations, etc) to take just one pleasurable aspect of life (overeating) and sacrifice some of that pleasure for the good result of losing weight.

"Now, for people struggling financially and socially, trying to just get through the day and keep their lives together to varying degrees ... their meals are often the only consistently happy and pleasurable events they can count on each day.

 

[Mango]

I saw this today and thought it relevant to this discussion.

Ezra Klein - The Persistence of Obesity

This reminds me of Charles Karelis's "The Persistence of Poverty." The basic argument is that the wealthy misunderstand the mental state of the poor, which leads them to make conceptual errors when creating policies to address poverty, or, in this case, obesity. Think of a bee sting, he advises. If you have a single bee sting, you'll go buy some salve to take away the pain. Now imagine three bee stings, a sprained ankle, a burn, a cut, a crick in your neck, a sore throat, and arthritis. Does the bee sting matter anymore?

It is one thing for a successful, financially comfortable, socially accepted and respected person who has multiple things happening every day that are pleasurable (golf, driving a nice car, nice home, stylish clothing, success at work, interesting social events, kids doing well, planning vacations, etc) to take just one pleasurable aspect of life (overeating) and sacrifice some of that pleasure for the good result of losing weight.

"Now, for people struggling financially and socially, trying to just get through the day and keep their lives together to varying degrees ... their meals are often the only consistently happy and pleasurable events they can count on each day.

No, but the sting doesn't hurt any less, either. Also, I am not buying into that mentality that a meal is the happy salve for those in poverty who are obese. It can still be a happy time with less of it, more nutritious, and with good company...like spending time with your kids instead of hoarding over a king sized super burger and fries. It's all about proper education into the psychosis of overeating and proper nutrition. What we need is free counseling and it needs to start in the schools and followed up at home. Hail, my 3 yr. old nephew already asks first if a certain food will make him big and strong.

 

[scooterbug44]

I am calling BS on that one too - rising obesity isn't from "food joy," it's from poor nutrition, insane portion sizes, fast food, and lack of exercise.

And it isn't just a "poor" issue - people from all classes and ethnic backgrounds are having the same issues.

P.S. I know alot of "poor" people who are a hell of a lot happier than many "rich" people. Money doesn't buy happiness, love, or insulate you from tragedy.

 

[Alicia Leonard]

I am calling BS on that one too - rising obesity isn't from "food joy," it's from poor nutrition, insane portion sizes, fast food, and lack of exercise.

And it isn't just a "poor" issue - people from all classes and ethnic backgrounds are having the same issues.

P.S. I know alot of "poor" people who are a hell of a lot happier than many "rich" people. Money doesn't buy happiness, love, or insulate you from tragedy.[/quote]

No, but it's the only way to get health insurance

 

[Jdarg]

I am calling BS on that one too - rising obesity isn't from "food joy," it's from poor nutrition, insane portion sizes, fast food, and lack of exercise.

And it isn't just a "poor" issue - people from all classes and ethnic backgrounds are having the same issues.

P.S. I know alot of "poor" people who are a hell of a lot happier than many "rich" people. Money doesn't buy happiness, love, or insulate you from tragedy.[/quote]

No, but it's the only way to get health insurance

^5!!

 

[jensieblue]

what about exercise and conditioning for a diabled 62 YO woman. I have had MS for many years and am unable to walk, drive. Several of my doctors have told me that my only option for exercise is resistance bands. I broke a foot badly when I dropped a weight on it. I am also undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Had a radical masectomy last April. Just finished chemo and am today starting radiation. I have chronic fatigue from the chemo which will only worsen with the radiation treatments. I had been covered by Ala BC/BS policy I had owned since I don't know how long. I began working when I was in high school and that was BC/BS coverage. Also have medicare as I am considered disabled and unable to work. Several months back rec'd a call from BC/BS and Medicare telling me that they were changing my insurance coverage retroactively. That Medicare will be primary and nothing should be sent to BC/BS unless and until Medicare denies the claim. From conversations with my physicians, I learn that while Medicare is not denying the claimns, neither are they paying claims. Wonder how long physicaians will be willing to provide service without payment? At some point the bills will be sent to me at some point. This diddling with ins. coverage is occuring to young and old. Just heard on NPR of a young family whose had twins and their BC/BS was cancelled retroactively. My young neice had the same experience a few years back. She had good coverage, husband a lawyer and she worked at a bank. Pregnancey ended with birth that injured baby who now has muscular distrophy and will likely never be able to function independently. Oh, and BC/BS cancelled them like a speeding freight train. People get sick, people get hurt, and we have relied on insurance to help us with those circumstances...But that coverage is no longer there ya'll. Protection from insurance is just an illusion. I don't seee anyone offering to come out and help me by shopping for healthy groceries and helping me with exercise routines. Most days I can't even sit up. I do stretches and "try" to do yoga, but have found myself on the floor so often My committment varies. Please do not judge others and assume that their life would be simple "if only". And wonder when the insurance door will slam shut on your head.

 

[jensieblue]

Oh, just curious...how many here speaking out agaist healthcare reform have experienced, first hand, the termination of their insurance coverage? My philosophy is do not speak unless you have experience. Another. oh, my employment history is that I worked jobs with with blue cross and paid my premiums, they were actually cut out of my wages before I got the check, without interruption since the age of 16-17. It was always very important to me to have good medical coverage, and I paid for it. Now BC, says I am not good enough for them. I feel nauseated by the whole experience and feel for all you have walked this road

 

[GoodWitch58]

Oh, just curious...how many here speaking out agaist healthcare reform have experienced, first hand, the termination of their insurance coverage? My philosophy is do not speak unless you have experience. Another. oh, my employment history is that I worked jobs with with blue cross and paid my premiums, they were actually cut out of my wages before I got the check, without interruption since the age of 16-17. It was always very important to me to have good medical coverage, and I paid for it. Now BC, says I am not good enough for them. I feel nauseated by the whole experience and feel for all you have walked this road

Thanks for your post; and best wishes as you continue to heal. I agree that until one has walked in another's shoes, one can not know how they feel.

Your story is repeated many times over across this country and I think it is a disgrace that the insurance companies continue to behave as they do, and that some Democrats and all Republicans in Congress continue to enable that behavior.

 

[Susan Horn]

One more thing, and sorry for double posting

One thing we could do NOW to make children healthier and happier and save a buttload of money is to make it much more difficult for new moms to get baby formula via the WIC program. Seriously. Nothing beats breast milk for promoting optimal health for a newborn, yet many if not most of the poorest American women don't even make an attempt at breastfeeding. Lord only knows how much money goes down the WIC 'formula for all' hole annually.

And along with making formula harder to get, we would be wise to implement strong cultural and practical supports for nursing moms/families. You would not believe the nasty looks and even verbal scoldings I used to get for nursing my sweet babies in public--and I don't mean in a flashy look-at-me way. Very discreet. I have noticed in recent years some stores suggest that moms nurse their babies in the restrooms. GROSS! Who eats in public bathrooms? I should think Health Department regulations would prohbit such insanity.

If I could turn back the hands of time, maybe I would get really in-their-face about nursing, at least with anyone who gave me nasty looks or comments. I'm envisioning a nursing mom's version of one-finger salute; would like to see the look on their faces THEN!

 

[scooterbug44]

I like the solution where many public places, restaurants, and stores provide a separate room w/ comfortable chairs or a sofa near the restroom facilities for nursing mothers.

I totally agree that nursing IN the public restroom is just nasty/unsanitary, but I have run across too many overly aggressive and immodest nursing mothers to fully support doing it in public......................especially when your kid is so old they are talking and tying their own shoes and I am trying to enjoy my dinner. :roll: