My “Radical” Healthcare Solution
Okay, but face it, Michael… you’re a radical, Jim said to me the other night at dinner. The first time I recall being called a radical was back in grade school. It was also the first time I had ever heard the word, and I didn’t know what it meant. Based on my teacher’s tone, and the fact that my thinking didn’t align with others, I assumed it meant something bad. Over time I learned its meaning and looking back on that first experience, my teacher’s use of the word was pretty accurate. It seems I was, and according to Jim, still am a radical.
His accusation came during a discussion concerning healthcare. Jim’s position was pretty simple: Government should stay the hell out of healthcare… period. After a few more statements along the same vein, I realized Jim, like many U.S. citizens, had taken the bait. By bait, I mean the propaganda that has become the faulty cornerstone of the so-called “healthcare” debate. What made me a radical in his eyes is that I didn’t accept it. I was interested in discussing “health” care… not “sick” care. Jim wanted to argue about government involvement, insurance companies, hospitals, drug companies and so on… politics.
When you stop listening to rhetoric and start looking at reality (facts and evidence), most “problems” start looking different. Healthcare is no exception. It has little to do with the issues being discussed in Washington or in the media.
Take heart disease. It kills 40% of Americans, more than any other injury or ailment… and it’s been doing so for years. So what is heart disease? One of the key components is plaque that builds up in the coronary arteries. If left untreated, it can completely block blood flow to the heart or rupture and form a blood clot causing a heart attack. Why does this happen? Some people have a genetic predisposition. Since my grandfathers died from heart attacks, and since my father has had three bypass surgeries, a stent and most recently, a pacemaker installed, I am one of those people. So I don’t take genetic predispositions lightly, but I also know genetics only set the stage and do not solely determine our fate.
Another indicator is cholesterol. If your cholesterol level is high, you’re at risk of heart disease. The great news… and the news that made me a radical in Jim’s eyes… is that you can avoid heart disease and most other major diseases as well through a “healthy” diet and lifestyle. Other than fish on occasion, I stopped eating meat several years ago. Within three months of doing so, my cholesterol levels dropped 60 points and have remained low ever since. A recent physical had my cholesterol level at 147 mg/dL (according to currently accepted medical belief it should be under 180).
I addressed the “health” problem… not the symptoms. I exercise and eat a plant-based diet… that’s real healthcare and that’s what Jim didn’t want to discuss. He was too focused on symptoms… not causes. It was after I pointed out the cost of typical bypass heart surgery and medical treatment vs. a healthy diet and lifestyle that he called me a radical.
As I enjoyed my wonderful vegetarian dinner, Jim washed down several pills including his high blood pressure and cholesterol medications before digging into his big chicken dinner with greasy fries. What more needed to be said? Since I value our friendship, I decided to change the subject.
When you look at the typical American diet and lifestyle, the health “problem” becomes pretty clear… so does the “solution.” Surgeries and medications address symptoms… not the root problem. If looking at reality and making intelligent choices that violate or threaten the status quo makes me a radical… then so be it. I proudly accept the title.
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5 Responses to “My “Radical” Healthcare Solution”
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hey Mike , in regards to health care, an example of treating the symptoms, most health care costs are absorbed by the elderly — no surprise there: but it has become a system for the doctors and healthcare providers- if one symptom shows up it triggers the automatic okay to run several other tests, over 70 percent of elderly patients would prefer to live out their last days at home with family and in the comfort of their home — it rarely happens tho : because the system will keep paying the hospitals and doctors for a series of not necessary tests, which make the patient believe there might be “hope” when the doctors know the patient is terminally ill. not that i have a solution to this mike – but since i became disabled 5 years ago – i have volunteered in many V.A hospitals around the south – in several states– its the same in all of them, and when it comes down to it – it is a shame , because the system wont allow a person to die with dignity, but rather keep running costs up in order to keep the healthcare system a wealthy business
I agree with your premise, Jim. I don’t have a specific solution either… but, like you, I do believe people should be able to die with dignity. We are free to live in this country… we should be free to die in it, too. I have been more focused on prevention these days. Too many people have accepted the current (faulty) health paradigm—eating bad food, not exercising… getting sick and looking for magic cures from the healthcare system to mask/fix the symptoms. This thinking is flawed on many levels and as a result has created an unhealthy (and dependent) nation. The foundation of good health is built upon diet and lifestyle, yet this fact is rarely mentioned in today’s healthcare debate. I could go on for pages, but I won’t. I’m just trying to create awareness. For most people a change in diet and lifestyle can prevent and even reverse disease and restore them to good health… without drugs and surgery. Thanks for weighing in and sharing your insights, Jim… and for volunteering at V.A. hospitals. It is greatly appreciated.
Mike, I’m wondering if you are the “Mikey McMillan” whose name I remember from my boyhood in northern Illinois. In any event, congratulations on the obvious success of your work and life. I just want to add a bit to your discussion above. You wrote that “Jim” took the bait and started to talk about politics when the subject of health care came up, and then you began to talk about what I would call health and wellness. These are two entirely different things, and it sounded as though you dismissed Jim’s comments as irrelevant, when in fact they are highly relevant–if the subject is truly “health care,” or health delivery. What goes on in Washington has everything to do with “health care,” and what you said about heart disease and eating properly has everything to do with “health and wellness.” I just want to make this clarification in case other readers, like myself, read your post and go away scratching their heads. You were both making valid points, but they were not part of the same conversation.
I was born and raised in Sycamore, Jack… and I’ve been called many names… so “Mikey” isn’t out of the question : )
Regarding my post… I believe both discussions are valid and should be part of the same conversation. By addressing the root cause of today’s most common diseases, the need to “fix” the symptoms is eliminated or greatly reduced—saving billions of dollars. Isn’t this good healthcare? Fixing symptoms with expensive drugs and surgeries (that don’t address the problem) is “sick care” at best. And, it’s both expensive and unnecessary. This approach should not be the accepted norm in our country… there’s nothing normal about it.
I have little or no faith that government (or health insurance companies) will provide good solutions for citizens… and the recent “healthcare” debate has confirmed this faith. Addressing the source and thereby eliminating/reducing symptoms seems far more practical. In fact, when you look at the healthcare crises in this light, the crises part all but disappears. So do the corporate profits and government contributions… and I believe that’s why it isn’t being looked at. Today’s debate (at best) is centered on expanding or restructuring “sick care”… and those who will gain the most power/money are driving it. This debate has not been based on logic, facts or honesty… or trying to find the best solution for citizens. It’s driven solely by power and greed… fueled by propaganda and misinformation.
Despite the overwhelming empirical data regarding the impact diet and exercise have on health, we (the government) still feed children harmful food, eliminate or minimize physical fitness programs and provide faulty (dangerous) nutritional information to our kids… and the general public. Lobbyist and special interest groups provide the content and are driving healthcare reform… therefore, it has little or nothing to do with either good health or good care.
Thank you for sharing and pointing out any confusion I may have created… I value your input. Perhaps it’s semantics, Jack… but I think we mostly agree. If not, please let me know. I value different perspectives and I’m always trying to learn.
I value constant learning as well as the next Jim. That said, I think we should revert the conversation to treadmills and the energy crisis… That being, “the Rad idea,” of having inmates leave jail with giant legs rather than screaming pecks. Could you imagine the amount of energy the modern corrections system could create by having those able walk instead of stew. Mr. M, I will never forget that cup of coffee. Sincerely, Adam.