Reducing Health Care Costs

With health care costs continuing to go through the roof, steps must be taken to avoid trips to the doctor and maintain good health. With the hot issues being the economy and health care, it is only fitting that we take action as individuals instead of leaving our future health in the hands of some bloated bureaucracy, which is sure to put more strain on the economy. More on the rising costs of health care...

Instead of focusing on the problem with health care costs, what are we to do? How about putting your attention on your own health instead of throwing caution to the wind, rolling the dice, and hoping that you don't come down with anything that requires expensive medical intervention or hoping that the government will be sure that you're going to get the treatment you need.

Statistics show that a large percentage of the total health care expenditures in the U.S. go to treatments given during the last six months of life. This means that the biggest expenses such as equipment, treatments, drugs, procedures, specialists, hospital beds, computers, etc are not being used for improving the quality of life, but sustaining life. While most of us would surely like to die with some degree of comfort, the suffering that takes place to during those six months is nothing short of torture for a large percentage of people.

If we had a crystal ball and could see into our future years and the degree of health or lack thereof, and how it would effect our quality of life, I'm guessing that some different choices would be made today, with better diet, more exercise and less poisons put into our system. Nonetheless, we have to address our health care costs individually by making decisions that support a healthy lifestyle.

Just a few changes can make a world of difference now and in the future. Unless we discover that nutrients from fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, plentiful amounts of water, and a positive mental attitude are not necessary to maintaining good health and preventing sickness and disease, we have to stick to what we know works.

The government doesn't need to step in and be sure that all the high technologies are available to every American citizen. The only type of treatment that should always be available to everyone is emergency care. This accounts for a very low percentage of all medical care. And even such emergencies as heart attacks could be reduced substantially if more people followed a healthy diet and got some regular exercise.

Bottom line: We don't need more access to better health care, but instead better choices for a healthy lifestyle. Healthier people are more likely to earn more money and require less medical intervention. But if they do, they can choose to pay for any recommended treatments with their own money. You have to face the facts that your health is your responsibility first, and not someone else's. Choose wisely.