I just watched that "Critical Condition" trailer. Based on the numbers (that support their cause) stating that we spend 50% more on health care than any other country, yet we rank 15th in preventable deaths and 24th in life expectancy, is it possible that our methods of caring for people are inadequate? Is it possible that we provide too much care (heck we spend all that money and the results appear to be extremely poor)? Apparently it's time to rethink how we care for our infirmed.

Also, there is a doctor I listen to on the radio that cites that the U.S. is approximately 5% of the world's population (which seems about right at approximately 305 million of six billion people on the planet), yet we consume nearly 70% of the supply of pharmaceutical medications (this I cannot verify). True or not, this is very thought provoking.

Another thing that leaped out at me while listening to the radio recently. The individual mentioned that obesity (the overwhelming majority of which is due to overeating and lack of activity) costs this country $140 billion annually. Well, these numbers show that that number won't be reached until 2013, when we still won't be receiving our government sponsored health care, but the number from year 2008 are approximately $80 billion. These costs are projected to reach $344 billion by 2018. These are only direct health costs. It doesn't factor in the cost of any lost productivity, ancillary problems, etc. that will be experienced. The majority of this problem is due to people not having any self control, nor exerting any initiative to do anything to help themselves. Therefore, government legislation must be enacted. Keep the Big Mac, supersize fries, and ultra-large liquid corn syrup cola beverage coming day after day. Funny how people are so willing to pay to destroy their bodies, but want someone else to pay to try and resolve the problems that they help create.

Direct Health Care Costs - Obesity

Kind Regards,
Jay

Almost all of us long for peace and freedom; but very few of us have much enthusiasm for the thoughts, feelings, and actions that make for peace and freedom. - Aldous Huxley

Was the government to prescribe to us our medicine and diet, our bodies would be in such keeping as our souls are now. - Thomas Jefferson