Health Reform Made Simple

Friday morning I had the pleasure of sitting next to a 79-year-old (still practicing) emergency room physician as we both journeyed from Boston to Maine on a concord Trailway’s bus.

He was on his way to an underserved rural town in Maine to provide care during a physician shortage.

He began sharing his earlier experiences as a physical with sparkles in his eyes.  He shared stories of “how life used to be.”  Then suddenly, his voice and expression turned from joy to sorrow. 

He explicitly expressed his disappointment in the American population and government.  He consistently stated that far too few Americans take personal responsibility for their health and life.  He felt deflated in his role as a doctor believing that everyone wants him to solve the outcomes of their health defeating behaviors.

He voiced literally no hope for the current health reform debates and outcomes generated in Washington.  With sadness in his eyes, he said: “I am happy that I am at the end of my career.  Healthcare is broken beyond repair.”

For about an hour of the ride, I reflected on his statements, concerns, frustrations, and disappointments.  As a nurse and American, I understand and believe everything he said.  The American healthcare system is broken.  Healthcare professionals in every sector of the field are overworked, burned out, and hopeless. 

You know, his expression of frustration with Washington and Health Reform echoes among many Americans.  We all want an easy solution to the crisis we face.  Some want universal healthcare, others oppose the idea and believe that they do not want people “free loading.”

The truth is: the rise of the healthcare system in our country begins with health improvement.  Health is something that our government does not own, we do.  Every day, regardless of our political status, we decide how we will treat our body.  What we eat, how long we sleep, how much we exercise, how we choose to handle or not handle stress, if we smoke, if we drink, if we find time to relax…we decide. 

Granted, some individuals are born with life changing medical diagnosis and have very little control over their health status.  But, most of us do. Barak Obama, the doctors, the nurses, medication, procedures…nothing will improve your health as well as you do. 

I was reading a few studies the other day, and I uncovered that over 75% of people do not eat the recommended fruits and vegetables, and less than 50% exercise for at least 30 minutes most days. Eating and exercise are our most basic forms of defense for almost every medical diagnosis known: cancer, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, depression…. Everything.

Eating well is difficult and exercise is more difficult!  But, I know that I need to do my part to contribute to the vitality and sustainability of health in our country.  I believe that our healthcare system is not hopeless.  Our country will rise and recover from this devastating fall we are experiencing.  We all have to believe and do our part together before all of our amazing medical doctors, nurses, nursing assistance, physical therapists, and all other healthcare providers lose hope in us.

Enjoy a vegetable and a beautiful walk today and feel happy that you did your part to improve the health of all of us.