What if Healthier People Cost Us More Money?

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http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Adt5DVW0WmSxZGdzcmNrMmNfNmY3ODdjMw&hl=en
and from this piece, the points made are:
1) health insurance linked with job and whims of economics and
your boss are keeping the citizen afraid, fear being a pacifying
influence,
2) there is a real need for health reform, as the citizenry is
unhealthily losing competitiveness in the world, and
3) the new system, for our country's psyche, stage in social
evolution, and present mood, can be modeled on Germany's,
where krankenkasse, sickness funds, would be more like co-ops,
prices kept low by ethical risk sharing, very competitive as they are
run by even small groups like soccer clubs, and tiered effectively
according to the public's world view, health expectations, and level
of prevention desired, to include reimbursement of complementary
specialties, such as herbalists, massage therapists, naturopaths,
and other licensed healers. This would guarantee to get health
and health costs under control.

sam ruben of HI 11:43PM August 22, 2009

What if Healthier People Cost Us More Money?
What an insane thought unless you think unhealthy people are easier to control. I know drug lords(pharmaceutical companies) think so, Dictators think so and how about you?.
I do not see doctors because I do not like to be controlled by there drugs I am disabled (epilepsy)and the only thing that cost the taxpayers money with me is insurance we all paid into
because if I go back to work I will have no health care and if I have an accident I will be at the mercy of the drug lords(pharmaceutical companies) Drug pushers( pharmacies) and perscribers(doctors)

Don D Brock of AZ 10:03PM August 22, 2009

The article really misses the point. The goal of healthcare is to keep people healthy - not save money. If we can change the system to make it more efficient and save money...all well and good. If we can change the system to help people live longer and healthier, that's even better, even if it does cost more money. As other commenters have noted, healthier people are in the workforce longer, so the added cost may be a red herring.
The important thing to remember is that we are talking about HEALTHCARE, not a bean counter's efforts to SAVE MONEY. That seems to be a problem with the current system, except the "saved money" turns into insurance profits!

Leslie Hittner of MN 7:38PM August 22, 2009

The Rand report hints at the thing that really makes health costs soar: Poor lifestyles, especially the soaring obesity rate. A confession: Yes, I too am guilty. I saw my mother die of diabetes at 65; she never followed her diet though she was a hospital cook and knew the dietetics. My older sister has diabetes and a ruined heart at 51; she doesn't follow her diet either. I know the risks for myself, especially with my heredity. Guess what? I make excuses.
The best way to lower health costs is to learn how to eat well, and to stick to what you've learned; and then take a walk, or a swim, or a bike ride, every day. I can't think of any plan that can lower costs of treatment for bad living over 40 or 50 years.

Rob Dunbar of IL 1:48PM August 22, 2009

Wouldn't healthier people stay in the workforce longer, thereby contributing their tax dollars and income to both government programs and the economy in general?

Ann of PA 11:18AM August 22, 2009

I don't know what, if any, political agenda the RAND corporation might be peddling. Let's hope it's not to convince people to drop health care reform on grounds of futility--for benefit of corporations.
But putting honesty into print about the national costs (and oops, SAVINGS, it turns out) of long term smoking is a good thing. We over-demonized the smokers in the last few years, enacting laws and prices that mostly have served to extract money from an underclass (smokers) and send it to corporations and government. 'Twas bad policy cloaked in faux righteousness.
As for obesity, well, evidently America needs to realize that this is another measure by which we do not compare so well to other nations.

Muser of NM 11:33AM August 20, 2009