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Kenneth E. Thorpe and David H. Howard The Rise In Spending Among Medicare Beneficiaries: The Role Of Chronic Disease Prevalence And Changes In Treatment Intensity Health Affairs, September/October 2006; 25(5): w378-w388. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Reprints & Permissions]

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Serious Medicare Reform Requires Bold New Health Leaders NOW!

Jimmy Moore   ( 29 August 2006 )

Serious Medicare Reform Requires Bold New Health Leaders NOW! 29 August 2006
Jimmy Moore, Freelance Health Writer http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com Send letter to journal: Re: Serious Medicare Reform Requires Bold New Health Leaders NOW! livinlowcarbman{at}charter.net Jimmy Moore	After reading the research conducted by Ken Thorpe on the direct correlation between tripling Medicare costs along with the simultaneous doubling in obesity rates among Medicare recipients, it frankly disturbed me that we have allowed this travesty to happen right under our noses. Dr. Thorpe recommended in his conclusion to the study that we need to enact "interventions" before new people enter the Medicare program to keep the system from spiraling out of control. He even suggested an immediate change of some sort to take place or else the integrity of Medicare could be permanently compromised. I agree, Dr. Thorpe, but that's a lot easier said than done. When you have such poor dietary advice being given to patients by our government and health leaders about what they need to do to lose weight and get healthy, it makes the ultimate goal of bringing those Medicare costs down that much more difficult. Sadly, this problem shows no signs of going away anytime soon, as obesity rates keep going up and up because our current health leaders are not arming overweight and obese people with a variety of options for dealing with their weight problems. Why do we think anything will change if we keep giving the same lifestyle advice that has been hammered down the collective throats of the American people for decades? Obviously, something is not working, or we wouldn't be in the mess we are in. The answer may not necessarily lie in more of the same, but rather new, fresh approaches to educating the public about what constitutes a healthy diet and fitness program. As someone who used to weigh over 400 pounds, I know how frustrating it is to feel like weight loss and health issues only come in one box. Generally speaking, that box has been the low-fat, low-calorie, portion-control line of thinking that has ALWAYS been considered the only really healthy way to eat. Unfortunately, that way of eating does NOT work for everyone, which is why many people like me are bucking the advice they get from their government and doctor to try programs such as the low-carb lifestyle. Starting on a low-carb diet was the best decision I ever made regarding my health, and now I am 180 pounds lighter as a result. Had I continued to listen to the advice from my government and health leaders, then I would be one of those future Medicare recipients with well over five medical ailments coming into the program. If you genuinely want to bring about effective change in the hearts and minds of the American people regarding healthy living, so they don't come into the Medicare system as a ticking timebomb just waiting to explode and suck every last dollar out of the Medicare budget, then you need to begin urging government officials and medical leaders to immediately start educating people about other alternatives to the low-fat diet approach. Sure, this will anger some of the hard-nosed bureaucrats who don't want to hear the truth, but our current dietary recommendations have done nothing but exacerbate the obesity problem and make it worse than it has ever been. The downward spiral we are currently experiencing shows no sign of stopping unless serious and meaningful changes are implemented to permit a variety of obesity-treatment options to be given free access to the American people. Do we REALLY care about the health and well-being of the overweight and obese in this nation? That's two out of every three people in this country these days who need to find the hope that permanent weight loss is within their grasp. They may find it outside of the traditional means someday, but why not open the door of opportunity NOW so we can bring those obesity numbers and the associated health care costs back within a reasonable range? The government and special-interest groups need to stop protecting their friends in the food manufacturing industry who stand to take a financial hit if the low-carb lifestyle is ever allowed to go mainstream. Is it more important to keep the wallets of these big companies fattened while the nation's obesity rate quickly approaches 100 percent? What we need now more than ever are genuine bold new leaders on this issue to stand courageously in the face of the staunchest critics and declare, "This is the right thing to do." Who will these brave and honorable leaders be? How about members of Congress? Medical professionals? Is there anyone ready to take me up on my recommendation that Americans be given the facts about many different weight-loss plans so they can decide which one is best for them? I promise you that we will see a meaningful turnaround in obesity in America while lowering Medicare costs that are on the verge of crippling our economy. Will we set the example for the rest of the world to follow by making this a reality in the United States? We can and must do this NOW, before it's too late.