SeniorSteps.net Education

May 2006 Newsletter

A Prescription for an Ailing Health Care System
By George R. Smith Jr., M.D.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), $1.9 trillion is spent annually on health care in the United States.

This is about $7,000 for each citizen, yet health statistics quoted by the WHO indicate that the life expectancy of U.S. citizens is less than most industrialized countries.

Two general reasons to explain why we are not getting our money's worth are:
1. The unhealthy lifestyles of our citizens are creating an unhealthy population and the need for more health care.
2. Health care is not being delivered appropriately in a cost-effective manner to all citizens.

The use of tobacco, excessive alcohol and obesity are three major causes of health problems and add billions to the cost of health care. Obesity is rapidly increasing in all age groups and can be expected to increase expenditures. Modern medical care has become so expensive that it is unaffordable without insurance. This has fostered third-party payment which in turn, has caused both providers and patients to use health care inappropriately. Administrative costs add 20 percent to 30 percent to costs. Malpractice suits and disproportionate awards promote the practice of expensive "defensive" medicine. Unlike a terrorist attack, unhealthy lifestyles and the system of health care delivery have developed unintentionally, and people don't recognize the urgency for remedial action. With some of our companies going bankrupt because of excessive health care costs, inefficiency and time lost because of sickness, it is imperative that the federal government address the problem.

Three goals for the national health plan are to improve the healthy life expectancy of our citizens, to lower the per capita cost of health care and to make appropriate health care available to the vast majority of U.S. citizens.

President Bush should appoint a task force to write a national health plan that might contain some of the following things:
-A national educational campaign designed to give our citizens the cold facts regarding the status of the nation's health, health care costs and trends for the future.
-A comprehensive plan with an early date for implementation, designed to improve the unhealthy lifestyle of the majority of our citizens. This plan should include early childhood health education designed to indoctrinate that nation's youth toward healthy lifestyles. It should also include ways to change the environment that will promote wellness and disease prevention.
-A national payment plan that allows every citizen, to purchase reasonable and necessary medical services on the advice of a physician.
-A medical savings account (MSA) for every citizen, utilizing debit cards for payment of all health services, except major medical services.
A standardized major medical plan will be necessary, with premiums funded through the MSA. It should cover everyone for all health care needs, including medications. The MSA could be funded similar to our present Social Security. Those not covered under Social Security-type funding would be required to do their own funding, or would be assisted by Medicaid according to each individual's ability to pay. The amount required to accumulate in the MSA would be set annually by the government and might vary for individuals according to their age and other circumstances. An important feature should be the ability of the people to spend at their own discretion excessive accumulations of funds in their account. This feature is necessary to promote the conservative use of health care.
-Pass new federal laws related to medical malpractice and medical errors that will allow for just compensation for the injured patient without exorbitant legal and punitive costs. A new type of medical professional is needed-one who works for a fee and does not profit from tests and procedures. This medical professional would serve as an individual's health planner and advisor and maintain an electronic medical record that is available to any authorized health care professional. Wellness and prevention strategies for the individual would be planned and adjusted as necessary according to the individual's genetic make-up, family history and environment. There is no greater threat to the future well-being of our nation than the deteriorating physical and spiritual health of our citizens, the inability of millions to pay for appropriate care and the mushrooming health care costs. With cost, disability, morbidity and mortality increasing, it is urgent that we formulate and implement a national plan that will address these problems. Of course, I realize that what I have outlined here is far from perfect and will need much modification and refinement, but it is urgent that we start somewhere.

-George R. Smith Jr. M.D.

Health and Wellness
Natural Remedy for Regularity

Many seniors take medications (pain medications) that can cause irregularity. The following recipe is provided courtesy of a long-term care Registered Dietitian and can be used to relieve this problem naturally.

- 1/2 cup of applesauce
- 1/2 cup of bran buds
- 1/2 cup of prune juice

Combine the above ingredients. Take one tablespoon daily, with 6-8 ounces of fluid. You may increase to three tablespoons per day. You can store this mixture in the refrigerator up to one week before discarding.