Insurance ≠ Healthcare

When I think of healthcare — the actual act of caring for my health — I think of good nutrition, exercise and a measure of happiness. I don’t think of surgery, medicine or x-rays. Which leads me to ask an important question, especially in light of the upcoming presidential election:

Since when does health insurance equal healthcare?

Healthcare is a big issue with Clinton, Obama and McCain, and it’s one area where they all manage to disagree (to varying degrees). However, one aspect they all do agree on is the way to achieve a healthy America: through better health insurance. But while health insurance is important, it’s not the only way to secure better health for Americans. I’ll argue it’s not even the best way to get — and keep — Americans healthy.

But try telling that to politicians — especially those in this election. Once the Democrats cleared out of Pennsylvania, John McCain (Rep.) came for a visit. He told a group of about 300 Lehigh Valley Hosptial-Cedar Crest doctors and nurses all about his ideas for health insurance, which included this statement:

''I would like to see everything from insurance companies rewarding clients for wellness and fitness to employers rewarding their employees if they join a health club.”

Well, that would be terrific. But I don’t think it would do much to help Americans care for their health. For it to be a motivating factor to exercise, then all Americans would have to have health insurance, and they don’t. They’d all have to have easy access to a fitness center, and they don’t. The truth is, the health insurance industry would be far less stressed if there were fewer illnesses brought on by obesity and poor fitness.

All the health insurance in the world isn’t going to get America any fitter.

So what is the solution, if not through health insurance? Government-subsidized fitness centers? A magnetic strip on the back of a Health ID Card that tracks gym visits and reports the data to the Bureau of Exercise and Fitness Activity? Yearly visits from dreaded Fitness Auditors? My ideas seem a bit too Brave New World, so I’m curious — if you were on the candidates’ speed dial, what would you tell them? How would you help them get America to care for its health?