In my previous blog on healthcare, I wrote about reform to our healthcare system and what we might demand in the way of new affordable healthcare legislation. Fixing our nation’s healthcare problem is a complex issue and it is not just a legislative issue. It is also a personal choice issue.
Our nation has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and we as citizens and healthcare consumers must also accept that our choices contribute to the high cost of healthcare. We cannot expect our government to fix the cost of our healthcare if we as consumers are not willing to make changes ourselves.
We are a nation of over tested and over medicated consumers. We choose poor diets and avoid physical activity. We run to the doctor with the slightest runny nose. We seek miracle cures and procedures. We bring malpractice suits if the surgeon does not make our dreams come true. We choose doctors and hospitals based on personality and advertising rather than on skill and results.
It is not my intent to offend anyone burdened with serious health issues. Sadly, millions of Americans face all types of health events every year. And the mental burden of making wise healthcare choices while facing serious illness can be overwhelming. Worse, our current healthcare system does not provide much assistance to help us make wise choices.
Yet, if we are to reduce our runaway healthcare costs, we must own the life choices we make and accept that every interaction with our healthcare system contributes to higher costs for everyone.
We must take the time to educate ourselves on our own healthcare. We must identify another person to be our health advocate and to challenge our choices. We must become realistic in the outcomes we expect. We must understand that medicine is not an exact science and doctors may not have all the answers. We must challenge why tests are performed and why drugs are being prescribed. We must seek alternative opinions and treatments. We must monitor healthcare costs, review hospital billing and identify medical fraud when we see it.
We need good healthcare legislation and we also need personal accountability to reduce the cost of our nation’s healthcare bill. In the end, it is up to us as citizens to make this happen.
Roger That! 