Healthcare Tied Up!
Uwe Reinhardt, PhD, a Professor of Politcal Economy & Economics at Princeton University, presented a very interesting and enlightening discussion about the state of healthcare in the United States. He discussed the dual economic role of the health sector – providing jobs, innovation in drugs and devices, etc which accounts for about 16.5% of all of our spending. In fact, Dr. Reinhardt introduced a slide with the front cover of Business Week – What’s Really Propping Up the Economy? Health Care has added 1.7 million jobs since 2001. The rest of the private sector? None. He explained there is a dual role of the health sector which amounts to health spending which equals health income. Unfortunately a government takeover of health means a tremendous amount of job loss within the private sector but an increase of jobs in the government sector. This move will force taxpayers once again to cover the costs of these job creations. Jobs will be created in the private sector which is typically the way America has operated in the past. This should be troubling to Americans.
What is creative deception?
One of the concepts that Dr. Reinhardt discussed was how Washington defines the meaning of “cut.” A cut in the Washington’s political vernacular means an increase. Only a Washington insider understands this logic. Dr. Reinhardt suggested the aging of the population is not the major cost driver.
We have Met the Enemy and He is Us.
Dr. Reihhardt reported that “aging is not the population per se that is the major cost driver.” Recently I received an excellent publication with detailed the Rising Obestiy Rates Exacting Hugh Economic Toll. This column was written by Michal Smith-Mallon with the Kentucky Long Term Policy Reserach Center. The column quoted Walt Kelly, creator of the comic strip “Pogo” in Commodore Perry’s words ”We have met the enemy and he is us.” Today’s overweight (36.5%) and obesity (26.7%) epidemic, is characterized by the CDC as a society that has become obesogenic which is characterized by environments that promote increased food intake especially of unhealthful foods, and physical inactivity. (29.8% of Kentucky is overweight/obese and 37% of Kentucky children are overweight/obese). Until we stop the increase in obesity rates in adults and children, healthcare costs are not going to be contained. It’s a no-brainer but Americans are going to have to be in charge of their personal health rather than turn their health over to the government to police.
Image from: www.best-local-doctors.com and www.flickr.com
