| Health care costs in America are spiraling out of | | | | the Democrats and the Republicans won't be |
| control. As a country, we spend enormous | | | | easy. Already lawmakers in Congress have stalled |
| amounts of money on medical care each year. In | | | | the latest version of the reform bill until after |
| fact, the numbers are staggering! In 2007 we | | | | Congress reconvenes in September. Eventually, |
| spent about $2.2 trillion on care. That translates to | | | | we will get some sort of bill passed. Will it include |
| about $7400 per person per year-nearly twice | | | | all the things mentioned above and still be |
| the average of other developed nations. Simply | | | | cost-effective? Or, will it be a watered-down |
| said, Americans spend more on health care than | | | | version of a reform bill that does little to contain |
| housing and food combined. Now, in the midst of | | | | costs? Only time will tell. |
| an economic crisis, those numbers threaten only | | | | Taking Charge Of Our Health |
| to go up. Unless we find a way to contain the | | | | But given the circumstances, we can't wait for |
| rising costs of health care, we may soon find it | | | | health care reform to happen. Nor do we have to. |
| out of reach for many Americans. | | | | We can cut the costs of health care ourselves, if |
| Fortunately, President Obama is attempting major | | | | we take charge of our own wellness. First, we |
| reform to the health care delivery system we | | | | must start thinking differently when it comes to |
| have. He has already signed into law several key | | | | health care. Among other things, we must |
| bills designed to shore up our fragile system. They | | | | integrate the Eastern philosophy of healing with |
| include the Children's Health Insurance | | | | the Western approach to medicine. Integration is |
| Reorganization Act, which provides quality | | | | critical to containing costs. |
| healthcare to 11 million children, 4 million of which | | | | Second, we must also switch to a plant-based |
| were previously uninsured, as well as the | | | | diet. It's a cost-effective way of improving health |
| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which | | | | and slashing costs-all while putting money in our |
| will protect health care coverage for more than 7 | | | | pockets. Eliminating meat from our diets-including |
| million Americans who've lost their jobs through | | | | chicken, turkey, and pork-drives down our food |
| no fault of their own. These people get a 65 | | | | bills and curbs disease. Of course, buying organic |
| percent Cobra subsidy for healthcare. | | | | fruits and vegetables costs slightly more than we |
| A third recovery act provides money for | | | | now pay, but not enough to offset the savings |
| prevention and wellness programs. This act aims | | | | we earn from eliminating meat from our diets. |
| to help citizens stay healthy so they won't incur | | | | Also, plenty of grains are inexpensive, like brown |
| medical costs-a departure from most legislation, | | | | rice and buckwheat. |
| which provides money only for people once they | | | | What's more, most supermarkets cater to people |
| get sick. This act also gives doctors more medical | | | | who want to switch to a plant-based diet. Many |
| tools so that they can make better decisions for | | | | of the items in such a diet are found in the |
| their patients. The act is significant because it | | | | markets' International aisles. So following the diet |
| recognizes a fact critical to solving the problem: | | | | these days is easier than ever. It's a far cry from |
| prevention contains costs. | | | | 20 years ago when you had to travel long |
| On The Right Track | | | | distances to buy the foods needed to adhere to |
| As for health care reform itself, Congress hasn't | | | | a plant-based diet. If switching to a plant-based |
| finalized a reform bill yet. But they're on the right | | | | diet is not your thing, just incorporate more fresh |
| track. It looks like the final bill will give us what we | | | | fruit and vegetables in your diet. |
| want. What do we want? We want affordable, | | | | We can't wait for Congress to reform health care |
| comprehensive care. We also want a guarantee | | | | . We need to act and we need to act now. If we |
| that each of us-rich and poor alike-has a choice of | | | | want to cut health care costs, we must take |
| plans. And we want basic medical insurance | | | | action ourselves. Integrating Eastern philosophy |
| without a lot of strings attached to it and with a | | | | and Western medicine is something we can do |
| wide choice of doctors and providers, including the | | | | now. Another is changing to a plant-base diet. |
| ability to use holistic practitioners working on | | | | Both things will improve health, prevent disease, |
| disease prevention. | | | | and cut costs. If we want a healthier, happier life |
| These are noteworthy goals. But achieving them | | | | starting now, we must take charge of own |
| through legislation that will pass muster with both | | | | wellness. This goal is certainly within reach. |