It's been nearly a year since my last post. Funny thing is I love to write but usually it's in response to some topic that interests me or in my private notebooks to sift through my thoughts. Today though, I think I will share my thoughts on the latest health care plan, the one my husbands work placed at our door. I'm sure their intentions are good as I've spoken to someone who is supposed to be representing us and she swears it's wonderful. This "health enhancement program" is meant to serve as disease prevention only it's been laid out in such a way that if we do not accept their terms we are penalized substantially. Huge co-pays and a large deductible for each family member plus the regular pay roll deductions seems to me that it's more of an arm twisting than good intentioned program. What could be wrong with it, you may wonder. So many do not even have decent insurance or they pay way too much, I know. This is why it's time we work on a solution to make health care right for all concerned and not just serve our government.
As a member who is over 50yrs. I would be on the list for annual physicals, something I've done quite well without. I see a doctor each year for blood work that can give a good md. quite a bit of information depending on tests ordered. I appreciate this and wouldn't mind if they did CBC (complete blood count) opposed to violating my body every year. Apparently this isn't enough. They want us all in for all sorts of poking and probing regardless of what we think on the matter. Some may appreciate this "great" care but for some reason I do not not. Instead I see it as a violation of my rights. Over the years I have learned much about nutrition and different ways to prevent disease such as diabetes and other such older age stuff. My interests have led me to more natural conclusions regarding health care. There were times I told my doctor how to best take iron supplements as when I asked him how much he wasn't sure. I had already researched it and knew what was safest when diet alone wasn't enough.
When I see pharmaceutical sales reps sitting in the waiting room, only 3 months since the last visit, with their bag of goodies how are we to expect decent care. After all, the Dr. is motivated by the perks given when he/she dispenses and prescribes such a treat. And yes they are more willing to do this than to look to good nutrition and exercise.
I wonder, if the intent is to help us all have better health why aren't there national FREE gym memberships offering each person up to an hour a day? I wonder why they'd spend thousands over the life time for hypertension or diabetes but not offer a FREE treadmill, bike, yoga classes, or even dance classes to help those who can not afford such luxuries? In the long run they'd be showing me they really care about my health. Movement,proper nutrition, sometimes specific diets, can go further in healing than a pill. A pill makes the pharmaceuticals very happy, I'm sure. It also makes all the shareholders happy as well. But is it the answer we want put on us?
In many ways I feel medicine has failed us. Many family members have had their health damaged by improper care even though they went through the preventative steps to see what was wrong. Yes, even medicine for high blood pressure can ruin your kidneys. I am for good health. I just see a different way of healing people than forcing us to use your test machines Mr. Man. I want honesty. Not your bullshit. I do not care what Europe or Canada has done. We can and should improve upon it...not make our care worse.
I would really like to walk more in the winter but many days here it is either too miserable out or dark too early. For now I will continue my search for a woman in medicine that I feel I can trust since I am forced to begin this new program. Shame on those who did this to us. I do believe we've lost some freedoms with this kind of plan though the name implies otherwise. I will not be fooled.
