Do you think you would be healthier if...

[travelfam]

I saw on the news today that people with health insurance are more obese on average. What do you think? Would this cause people to be healthier if they don't or can't rely on insurance?

 

[LAinSEA]

Some folks--those who are small business owners and many doctors/dentists don't carry insurance and "self insure" for health care costs by paying cash or through barter for services. My FIL (retired orthodontist) did this for his family's care until he retired and was eligible for medicare. He did, however, provide full HC benefits for his employees while practicing through a co-op insurance program through the state dental association, but didn't use it for his own family (too much hassle with the insurance company telling him who to see and how to get treatment.)

I know when I had a period of non-coverage, my plan of action, if I had an appendix attack or something, was to get into my car and run into a pole or something. My car insurance covered hospitalization. I know, strange plan, but when your young and desparate, you've got to have one.

Here's another corrolation: people who consume diet beverages (with Nutra Sweet or Splenda) are 41% more obese than those who do not consume the same. Glad I'm finally off the Diet Coke (after 40 years!)

Laurie

 

[Colleen27]

I wonder how much of it relates to the changes we've seen in which jobs offer insurance, with so many active blue collar jobs and entry level jobs held by younger people dropping it or raising premiums beyond what employees can afford, while sedentary white collar jobs and management positions that tend to be held by older folks are more likely to offer reasonable benefits. Plus you have to account for the low income people receiving medical assistance, many of whom lack the resources and access to provide a healthy diet.

I'd love to see a study on this topic that controls for demographics and career choice, to see if there really is a relationship, but on the surface this one looks more like correlation than causation to me.

 

[Colleen27]

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Here's another corrolation: people who consume diet beverages (with Nutra Sweet or Splenda) are 41% more obese than those who do not consume the same. Glad I'm finally off the Diet Coke (after 40 years!)

Now there's motivation to kick the Diet Dew habit! I'll admit, since I switched to diet I've gotten lazy about it. When there were calories involved, I was much better about controlling my consumption.

BTW, I noticed your sig and just wanted to offer a . We're in remodeling limbo of sorts too, and just canceled our free dining trip because of it. I'm still scheming and it is looking good for Feb, but this is our second cancellation/postponement because of our new (old) house and the work we're doing on it.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I don't know if it would necessarily make people healthier if they couldn't rely on health insurance. I didn't have health insurance for the last two years (previous job; barely making ends meet) and even though I didn't drink or smoke I was about 20-30 lbs. overweight. I, like many people unfortunately, felt like nothing unexpected would happen to me or that "just" being 20-30 lbs. overweight wouldn't affect my health that much. I currently have insurance (although not through my employer, they don't offer it as neither did my last employer) but I have a very high deductible. I have since lost the 30 lbs. and feel like I'm pretty healthy (I walk 3-4 miles a day and go to the gym 4 times a week, I eat very healthy, and don't eat meat). Or maybe if employers didn't offer health insurance (or partially paid insurance) then the employees would have to get their own insurance and that's less money they would have to spend on fast food/junk food . I'm just kidding of course. It really, truly saddens me to see what an obese country America has become and the illnesses and problems people have from being obese

 

[FireDancer]

I think this is a bit of a chicken or egg scenario. I don't think not having insurance makes you healthier. I think maybe you are more careful and take care of yourself better because you know you are paying out of pocket if you have health issues.

 

[LAinSEA]

In our country the government insures older Americans, American living below poverty line, and our military personnel and families, and our military veterans. Other than our military families and non-injured activity duty military, all others are rather heavy users of benefits. It only makes sense to expand the net of who these separately administrated programs cover--larger population, lower costs for all.

For many years, I've been lucky not to have to see a physician, and because I've lost faith in most, I'm glad that I've only had the common cold and light touches of the flu to deal with along with my old "friends" seasonal alergies and sinus headaches (OTC remedies needed only.) Now, since my metabolism went really out of whack in May, and pressure from my sis who just was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I've sought out a new physician. What a major pain! Finding a Family Practice physician taking new patients on plan, dealing with an encrine clinic that says insurance won't pay for a visit dealing with severe fatigue and rapid weight gain--"Do I still want to schedule?" was the question yesterday if insurance wouldn't pay? If the goal of medicine should be better health and prevention of larger medical issues, you might be led to believe that doctors (and insurance companies) might want to focus on that. Yet, weight-loss programs and even surgery to help control weight isn't covered by most programs let alone that fatigue that keeps us from maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.
(Rant over)

BTW - It took a full two weeks, but the Diet Coke/Fresca is now out of my system! The caffeine headaches are now controlled by some ice tea in the am, but it took much longer for the pinched top of the head headache from the lack of Nutra Sweet and Splenda to go away. And I've lost 18 lbs now during about that same time period on my diet plan.

for Colleen27: main floor hardwood and kitchen complete except for the expensive lighting--still saving for pendants and spots for the Tech track system, powder room nearly complete except for finishing new door and baseboard, hardwood purchased for downstairs, but not installed yet. So getting there...then upstairs guest bath toilet decided to blow a gasket between tank and bowl (quick fix to stem tide for now), but will need to replace flooring and re-do it sooner than later. Why is it that 1990s builders can't build a quality home to last when 1900-40s builders could?

Laurie

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I would hoenstly have thought it's the other way around. No flames just hear me out....

There is a higher percentage of obese people in the poverty population due to quality of available foods, lack of fresh vegetables, etc. I have seen that study many many times on the news, papers, online. Most of them would not have health insurance so wouldn't the poor and uninsured be more obese?

 

[Colleen27]

for Colleen27: main floor hardwood and kitchen complete except for the expensive lighting--still saving for pendants and spots for the Tech track system, powder room nearly complete except for finishing new door and baseboard, hardwood purchased for downstairs, but not installed yet. So getting there...then upstairs guest bath toilet decided to blow a gasket between tank and bowl (quick fix to stem tide for now), but will need to replace flooring and re-do it sooner than later. Why is it that 1990s builders can't build a quality home to last when 1900-40s builders could?

Wow, that is a lot to have to do to such a new(ish) house! We're doing full remodels on both baths, chasing down plumbing leaks all over the house, refinishing and repainting, installing a stamped tin ceiling in the lower level bath (so as not to have to tear out plaster if we do need to get to the pipes again), replacing most of the lighting fixtures, replacing the original windows, restoring some details, and eventually doing a full kitchen remodel, but our house is 130 years old. And they sure did know how to build them back then - other than some plumbing issues that are to be expected in a foreclosure that stood empty for quite some time and the obvious deficiencies of 130 year old windows, we haven't really run into any repair issues.

 

[Colleen27]

I would hoenstly have thought it's the other way around. No flames just hear me out....

There is a higher percentage of obese people in the poverty population due to quality of available foods, lack of fresh vegetables, etc. I have seen that study many many times on the news, papers, online. Most of them would not have health insurance so wouldn't the poor and uninsured be more obese?

But people living in poverty often qualify for Medicaid so they are counted among the insured. The uninsured tend to be young adults just starting out and the working class making too much for assistance but too little to afford insurance, not the very poor.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

But people living in poverty often qualify for Medicaid so they are counted among the insured. The uninsured tend to be young adults just starting out and the working class making too much for assistance but too little to afford insurance, not the very poor.

Hmm...point taken. I forgot about the Medicaid population!

 

[LAinSEA]

Interesting note: since I've been on a very low calorie diet (higher protein, low fat, low carb), we are actually spending more money on food each week than less despite eating less--and we were already spending more on organics and whole wheat pastas/breads, brown rice etc to stay low glycemic. With all the fast food dollar options out there, it costs more for DH to made his lunch and take it to work than to go out and run through a drive through. It costs more to buy fresh fruits and veggies than have a meal of pasta. And leaner meats and fish cost more too than other cuts.

I feel for those families trying to stetch their paychecks and still be healthy.

The answer sometimes to buy locally; but our farmers' markets charge more for their produce than the organics at the larger chain stores. Trying to the do the right thing is pricey.

Laurie