Tom Harkin-Op-Ed: Shifting America from sick care to genuine wellness

[kpete]

Op-Ed Contributor: Shifting America from sick care to genuine wellness

Thu Jun 25, 3:21 am ET



By Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)

Washington, DC — With the Senate health committee convening daily to craft a comprehensive health reform bill, the basic outline of this landmark legislation is now clear.

Yes, it will ensure access to affordable, quality care for every American. But, just as important, it will hold down health care costs by creating a sharp new emphasis on disease prevention and public health.

As the lead Senator in drafting the Prevention and Public Health section of the bill, I view this legislation as our opportunity to recreate America as a genuine wellness society – a society that is focused on prevention, good nutrition, fitness, and public health.

The fact is, we currently do not have a health care system in the United States; we have a sick care system. If you’re sick, you get care, whether through insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, community health centers, emergency rooms, or charity. The problem is that this is all about patching things up after people develop serious illnesses and chronic conditions.

more:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20090625/ts_ynews/ynews_ts408

[FiveGoodMen]

1. hold down costs by creating a new emphasis on disease prevention

I'm pretty sure that's how HMOs were sold to us in the first place.

What will probably happen is that anything which statistically increases the risk of disease will either be outlawed or will void one's (health) warranty.

Harkin generally seems like one of the good ones, but I've heard this stuff before ... and it didn't work. (Well, it didn't work for us)