What Health Care Legislation Won't Address

My family and I were surfing the TV on Monday and came across Oprah. There was a 1000 lb. man surrounded by family. He had successfully lost around 800 lbs, only to gain it all back.

He said it wasn’t his fault.

Obviously someone is enabling his behavior. He isn't walking up and down grocery store aisles in choosing the food he wants. Neither is he preparing the meals or washing dishes.

My family disagreed with his assessment. They wondered why he wasn’t taking more responsibility by regaining his health as his primary goal. I countered that while I agree with some of the argument, that he does have a problem. Mental. A lot of stuff is in his head.

And that's what neither the President of the United States nor Congress will address: personal responsibility and prevention.

Many people know how better health can be achieved. Yet culture, love of food, advertising and so many other factors serve to inhibit one's willingness to forgo the bad in favor of what tastes good. Fresh vegetables over mac and cheese. Baked chicken over fried. Applesauce over pound cake.

Implementation of any good health care program will be a struggle as more doctors will suddenly have more patients. People who must be willing to patiently wait their turn. Will he or she see the doctor or a physician’s assistant? Will appointments run on time? Will they be prudent in following all orders? Will the patient expect the doctor to fix what ails them, no matter how it occurred?

Or will a doctor's office look like a hospital emergency room on a Saturday night, crowded with gunshot victims?

My sister is reaching her 5 year mark in her breast cancer fight. Since then she’s been hit with other maladies and faced each one with courage. She eats better, sleeps better and only occasionally has a bout with tiredness. Even now the doctor is adjusting her iron level by having her take a 3 hour slow drip, with today, prayerfully being her final dose.

While she’s doing her part to maintain good health many others refuse to do theirs.

The health care debate will hit more turbulence in the coming weeks. But no matter which plan, or who pays, the successful outcome of any doctor visit will require personal responsibility. Not just good luck.

Church leaders can help by following good medical advice themselves. In a study of certain populations of the Hispanic culture a few years ago with the Old North State Medical Society, we learned that they will trust their pastor with pertinent information more than a stranger.

There are consequences to our actions. We can’t have what we want, eat what we want, anytime we want and not suffer. We can do more than endure. Maybe disbelief is why all of the American people haven’t signed on as 100% believers.

Will a new health care system resemble Medicare? Medicare works adequately for some, but not for all. I remember being astonished at a sign outside of a doctor’s office warning that he was no longer accepting Medicare patients. Doctors have long complained about inadequate reimbursement for the services they perform.

In getting a flu shot, I’ve witnessed screaming babies in the health department, long lines and wearied parents. I've also noted long lines in front of the free clinics. Will this be the look of the average doctor's office?

Does the public get to weigh in on the discussion? It’s awfully hard to be heard above those millions of dollars being given to elected officials who are busy crafting a plan. A plan that even they refuse to adopt as their own.

But until Congress makes up its mind, think 'responsibility'. Eat well, sleep well. Play hard and often. And remember: as much as I might like you, I don’t want to be burdened by your health problem costs in addition to my own.

Especially, if your behavior is such that: “it isn’t my fault”.