The high price of health insurance, as recently complained about in the news

[pbmdel]

Is this too much information?

Our health insurance costs are so high, primarily because we are the sickest, and die the youngest of all nine other highest-income nations in the world.
We are that, principally because of the Standard American Diet (SAD).

As explained by Perplexity AI...

While not officially stated by the CDC, evidence strongly suggests that the Standard American Diet (SAD) is a principal contributor to the high rates of disease and premature death in the United States.

Health Implications of the Standard American Diet

The SAD is characterized by:

• High intake of saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars
• Low consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber
• Excessive calorie intake, with the average American consuming 3,600 calories daily

These dietary patterns have significant health consequences:

Chronic Diseases

The SAD is linked to several chronic conditions that are leading causes of death in the US:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain types of cancer
• Obesity
• Hypertension

Nearly half of American adults suffer from one or more chronic illnesses related to poor dietary choices.

Premature Death

Poor diet and inadequate physical activity account for at least 300,000 deaths annually in the United States, second only to tobacco use as a contributor to premature death. Some estimates suggest that dietary factors drive more than $50 billion in annual healthcare costs related to conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.

Nutrient Deficiencies

The SAD provides inadequate levels of essential micronutrients, potentially leading to deficiencies in:

• Vitamin A (45% of the population)
• Vitamin C (46%)
• Vitamin D (95%)
• Vitamin E (84%)
• Zinc (15%)[8]

These deficiencies can impair immune function and negatively affect overall health.

Comparison to Other Risk Factors

While not explicitly stated as the principal cause by health authorities, the impact of the SAD on disease and premature death is significant:

• Diet-related risks are now considered more prominent contributors to premature death than smoking.
• Poor dietary patterns make the greatest contribution to the burden of noncommunicable disease in the United States and most Western countries.

Long-term Consequences

Adherence to the SAD over time can lead to:

• Obesity (currently affecting 74% of American adults)
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes
• Higher likelihood of developing certain cancers
• Potential impacts on mental health, including increased risk of depression and anxiety

In conclusion, while not officially labeled as the principal cause by the CDC, the Standard American Diet plays a crucial role in the high rates of disease and premature death in the United States. Its widespread impact on multiple aspects of health, from chronic diseases to nutrient deficiencies, makes it a significant contributor to the overall health burden in the country.

 

[dblack]

Our health insurance costs are so high, primarily because we are the sickest, and die the youngest of all nine other highest-income nations in the world.
We are that, principally because of the Standard American Diet (SAD).

Health insurance costs are so high because health care costs are so high. Health care costs are so high because no one cares how much health care costs. No one cares how much health care costs because no one is paying for their own health care.

 

[White 6]

Is this too much information?

Our health insurance costs are so high, primarily because we are the sickest, and die the youngest of all nine other highest-income nations in the world.
We are that, principally because of the Standard American Diet (SAD).

As explained by Perplexity AI...

While not officially stated by the CDC, evidence strongly suggests that the Standard American Diet (SAD) is a principal contributor to the high rates of disease and premature death in the United States.

Health Implications of the Standard American Diet

The SAD is characterized by:

• High intake of saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars
• Low consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber
• Excessive calorie intake, with the average American consuming 3,600 calories daily

These dietary patterns have significant health consequences:

Chronic Diseases

The SAD is linked to several chronic conditions that are leading causes of death in the US:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain types of cancer
• Obesity
• Hypertension

Nearly half of American adults suffer from one or more chronic illnesses related to poor dietary choices.

Premature Death

Poor diet and inadequate physical activity account for at least 300,000 deaths annually in the United States, second only to tobacco use as a contributor to premature death. Some estimates suggest that dietary factors drive more than $50 billion in annual healthcare costs related to conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.

Nutrient Deficiencies

The SAD provides inadequate levels of essential micronutrients, potentially leading to deficiencies in:

• Vitamin A (45% of the population)
• Vitamin C (46%)
• Vitamin D (95%)
• Vitamin E (84%)
• Zinc (15%)[8]

These deficiencies can impair immune function and negatively affect overall health.

Comparison to Other Risk Factors

While not explicitly stated as the principal cause by health authorities, the impact of the SAD on disease and premature death is significant:

• Diet-related risks are now considered more prominent contributors to premature death than smoking.
• Poor dietary patterns make the greatest contribution to the burden of noncommunicable disease in the United States and most Western countries.

Long-term Consequences

Adherence to the SAD over time can lead to:

• Obesity (currently affecting 74% of American adults)
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes
• Higher likelihood of developing certain cancers
• Potential impacts on mental health, including increased risk of depression and anxiety

In conclusion, while not officially labeled as the principal cause by the CDC, the Standard American Diet plays a crucial role in the high rates of disease and premature death in the United States. Its widespread impact on multiple aspects of health, from chronic diseases to nutrient deficiencies, makes it a significant contributor to the overall health burden in the country.

I think we're that because everybody else middle-aged and up tend to sit on their ass, until they vegetate. I'm in the up category, no denying it anymore, but I don't sit on my ass much. Going up that mountain, last week, even my peers that were non-smokers almost quit, halfway up' while I just pointed out where to stand, so they could get a pic of me through the trees, up top. And, these weren't lard asses, but the Chief was first to suggest stopping halfway, and the LTC was saying she wished she had stayed with PJ at the bar, back at the lodge.

 

[Lisa558]

Health insurance costs are so high because health care costs are so high. Health care costs are so high because no one cares how much health care costs. No one cares how much health care costs because no one is paying for their own health care.

Bingo!

What we need to do in order to lower costs is LESS insurance. When someone else pays for everything, then costs go up and the buyer doesn’t care. For example, I was in an ER bay and asked for a blanket because I was chilly. You know what showed up on the bill? $40 for a “blanket rental fee.”

If people were made to pay for the relatively small things, then costs would go down. In a system that’s working correctly, all one really needs is major medical to cover the big items.

 

[Anathema]

My insurance cost ($81/week for my wife & me) isn’t that bad compared to my income. My employer picks up the other 80% of the cost.

Nobody is going to get Americans to significantly change our diets. Thsts been proven pretty well over the years, as I see it. I’d rather die at 55 living the life I prefer than live to 90 by being miserable; and I think most Americans agree with me on that.

 

[pbmdel]

My insurance cost ($81/week for my wife & me) isn’t that bad compared to my income. My employer picks up the other 80% of the cost.

Nobody is going to get Americans to significantly change our diets. Thsts been proven pretty well over the years, as I see it. I’d rather die at 55 living the life I prefer than live to 90 by being miserable; and I think most Americans agree with me on that.

Just my personal story...I'm 88, and it's only in the last few years that I transitioned to a mostly whole-food plant-based diet. Knock on wood, I think I feel the best ever. With the great-tasting big variety of pre-prepared meals by professional chefs (no cooking, minimal cleanup) I buy from from three excellent companies on the web, I couldn't ask for more.

 

[Lisa558]

Just my personal story...I'm 88, and it's only in the last few years that I transitioned to a mostly whole-food plant-based diet. Knock on wood, I think I feel the best ever. With the great-tasting big variety of pre-prepared meals by professional chefs (no cooking, minimal cleanup) I buy from from three excellent companies on the web, I couldn't ask for more.

Where do you order these pre-prepared meals from? Do they deliver?

 

[Anathema]

Just my personal story...I'm 88, and it's only in the last few years that I transitioned to a mostly whole-food plant-based diet. Knock on wood, I think I feel the best ever. With the great-tasting big variety of pre-prepared meals by professional chefs (no cooking, minimal cleanup) I buy from from three excellent companies on the web, I couldn't ask for more.

For a number of reasons (people’s tastes, number of people in the house, etc…) the meal plans aren’t really an option. Of 7 people in the house I’m one of only 2 who will seek out vegetables to include in a meal. 1 person won’t eat them at all. I don’t have the time or energy to make my own meals separately from the rest of the house. So I’m content to deal with my low end high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. It’s actually easier than trying to change the diet of the entire household.

 

[pbmdel]

For a number of reasons (people’s tastes, number of people in the house, etc…) the meal plans aren’t really an option. Of 7 people in the house I’m one of only 2 who will seek out vegetables to include in a meal. 1 person won’t eat them at all. I don’t have the time or energy to make my own meals separately from the rest of the house. So I’m content to deal with my low end high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. It’s actually easier than trying to change the diet of the entire household.

I understand your position completely! It's my bad that I omitted the fact that I'm single living with my son, who takes care of his own meal preparing.

 

[Anathema]

I understand your position completely! It's my bad that I omitted the fact that I'm single living with my son, who takes care of his own meal preparing.

I kind of figured it was a situation similar to that.

In general, Americans don’t want to eat healthy. It’s too expensive, too time consuming, and too much of a pain in the ass compared to the other options.

 

[Greenbeard]

Bingo!

What we need to do in order to lower costs is LESS insurance. When someone else pays for everything, then costs go up and the buyer doesn’t care. For example, I was in an ER bay and asked for a blanket because I was chilly. You know what showed up on the bill? $40 for a “blanket rental fee.”

If people were made to pay for the relatively small things, then costs would go down. In a system that’s working correctly, all one really needs is major medical to cover the big items.

Yeah!

And besides that, what was counted as being “insured“ included those with super-high deductibles for very narrow networks. Obamacare moved millions of middle-income people from having regular insurance to having what was basically “major medical” - only it cost as much as regular insurance.

Pre-Ocare my deductible was $2000; afterwards it was $6000. The only year insurance ever kicked in was the year i got a colonoscopy. Every other year, I paid for all services.

Sounds like your wish has been granted.

 

[Lisa558]

Yeah!



Sounds like your wish has been granted.

Why was that my wish? I was opposed to Obamacare, knowing how much it work hurt regular, working class folks.

 

[Greenbeard]

Why was that my wish? I was opposed to Obamacare, knowing how much it work hurt regular, working class folks.

Odd, given your position:

What we need to do in order to lower costs is LESS insurance. . . .all one really needs is major medical to cover the big items.

Obamacare moved millions of middle-income people from having regular insurance to having what was basically “major medical”

 

[Lisa558]

Odd, given your position:

No, Obamacare covered MORE - for lower-income. That means middle-income had to pay for the nose for it.

Obamacare was a cost-shifting scheme. That’s it.

 

[initforme]

No, Obamacare covered MORE - for lower-income. That means middle-income had to pay for the nose for it.

Obamacare was a cost-shifting scheme. That’s it.

Imagine that the people we've elected aren't wise enough to make the system workable. Nobody wants to deal with healthcare and it's abject failures, long before ACA. Says something about this nation.

 

[Foxfyre]

Is this too much information?

Our health insurance costs are so high, primarily because we are the sickest, and die the youngest of all nine other highest-income nations in the world.
We are that, principally because of the Standard American Diet (SAD).

As explained by Perplexity AI...

While not officially stated by the CDC, evidence strongly suggests that the Standard American Diet (SAD) is a principal contributor to the high rates of disease and premature death in the United States.

Health Implications of the Standard American Diet

The SAD is characterized by:

• High intake of saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars
• Low consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber
• Excessive calorie intake, with the average American consuming 3,600 calories daily

These dietary patterns have significant health consequences:

Chronic Diseases

The SAD is linked to several chronic conditions that are leading causes of death in the US:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain types of cancer
• Obesity
• Hypertension

Nearly half of American adults suffer from one or more chronic illnesses related to poor dietary choices.

Premature Death

Poor diet and inadequate physical activity account for at least 300,000 deaths annually in the United States, second only to tobacco use as a contributor to premature death. Some estimates suggest that dietary factors drive more than $50 billion in annual healthcare costs related to conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.

Nutrient Deficiencies

The SAD provides inadequate levels of essential micronutrients, potentially leading to deficiencies in:

• Vitamin A (45% of the population)
• Vitamin C (46%)
• Vitamin D (95%)
• Vitamin E (84%)
• Zinc (15%)[8]

These deficiencies can impair immune function and negatively affect overall health.

Comparison to Other Risk Factors

While not explicitly stated as the principal cause by health authorities, the impact of the SAD on disease and premature death is significant:

• Diet-related risks are now considered more prominent contributors to premature death than smoking.
• Poor dietary patterns make the greatest contribution to the burden of noncommunicable disease in the United States and most Western countries.

Long-term Consequences

Adherence to the SAD over time can lead to:

• Obesity (currently affecting 74% of American adults)
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes
• Higher likelihood of developing certain cancers
• Potential impacts on mental health, including increased risk of depression and anxiety

In conclusion, while not officially labeled as the principal cause by the CDC, the Standard American Diet plays a crucial role in the high rates of disease and premature death in the United States. Its widespread impact on multiple aspects of health, from chronic diseases to nutrient deficiencies, makes it a significant contributor to the overall health burden in the country.

It's all related. Our general unhealthiness as Americans due to both diet and lifestyle. And we have the highest healthcare and health insurance costs in the world partly due to that and partly due to unnecessary government meddling. They completely took the free market pressures out of the equation.

Our incoming federal government is conscious of that and hopefully will find ways to begin turning that around without too much disruption and pain for the people.

We should get back to hospitalization insurance instead of 'health insurance.' Back in the days before Medicare/Medicaid most hospitalization policies paid for an annual physical by your doctor but otherwise you paid the doc $5 or so for an office visit and reasonable costs for whatever prescriptions he ordered. There was usually a deductible for a hospitalization--almost all hospitals would allow you to pay for that in monthly installments--but you otherwise got good care. Yes many could not afford private insurance--getting a job that had health insurance was a big deal--but except for the most serious situations, you still could afford to go to and take your kids to the doctor because insurance didn't pay for that anyway.

Now if you are without insurance or unable to pay for usually much larger copays, you are dependent on charity or are out of luck.

Meanwhile we have an incoming HHS secretary who is very aware of the situation and wants to get as many toxins and poisons--what is slowly killing us--out of our food supply as is reasonable. That would certainly help.

 

[dblack]

Imagine that the people we've elected aren't wise enough to make the system workable. Nobody wants to deal with healthcare and it's abject failures, long before ACA. Says something about this nation.

Yep. The two party system is incapable of electing good leaders. We need to ditch it.

 

[LibertyKid]

Health insurance costs are so high because health care costs are so high. Health care costs are so high because no one cares how much health care costs. No one cares how much health care costs because no one is paying for their own health care.

And what we are seeing is hospitals increasing costs of services. The following article states that hospitals reported $90 Billion in profits while the insurance companies had $25 Billion in profits.

Seven reasons why Americans pay more for health care than any other nation

Americans pay more for health care but don't get better results. Why? The blame goes well beyond insurance companies.

www.yahoo.com

From the article:

Reason 1: Lack of price limits​

Reason 2: Hospitals and doctors get paid for services, not outcomes​

Reason 3: Specialists get paid much more ‒ and want to keep it that way​

Reason 4: Administrative costs inflate health spending​

Reason 5: Health care pricing is a mystery​

Reason 6: Americans pay far more for prescription drugs than people in other wealthy nations​

Reason 7: Private Equity​

 

[Zincwarrior]

We should get back to hospitalization insurance instead of 'health insurance.' Back in the days before Medicare/Medicaid most hospitalization policies paid for an annual physical by your doctor but otherwise you paid the doc $5 or so for an office visit and reasonable costs for whatever prescriptions he ordered. There was usually a deductible for a hospitalization--almost all hospitals would allow you to pay for that in monthly installments--but you otherwise got good care. Yes many could not afford private insurance--getting a job that had health insurance was a big deal--but except for the most serious situations, you still could afford to go to and take your kids to the doctor because insurance didn't pay for that anyway.

Now if you are without insurance or unable to pay for usually much larger copays, you are dependent on charity or are out of luck.

Meanwhile we have an incoming HHS secretary who is very aware of the situation and wants to get as many toxins and poisons--what is slowly killing us--out of our food supply as is reasonable. That would certainly help.

So most Americans would be boned due to prescription costs. OK. SOunds like a great idea.

 

[dblack]

Our incoming federal government is conscious of that and hopefully will find ways to begin turning that around without too much disruption and pain for the people.

Links? I haven't seen any evidence of that.