In principle I do not have any quarrel with the conversation on personal 
responsibility for one's own choices made. I am continually struck 
however that most of those conversations tend to ignore personal 
responsibility for the choices that are available, as though the 
available choices have nothing to do with the quality of the choices made.

Bill B.

Chrystal Ocean wrote:
> This begs for a response, but I'm so steamed I don't know where to begin.
> Help! --Ocean
>
> ---------------------------
>
> Cowichan Valley NewsLeader 
> http://www.cowichannewsleader.com/
>
> "Shouldn't we pay for our bad health choices?"
> By Patrick Hrushowy
> Apr 05 2006
>
> If there is an expectation that government should pay the total shot for
> health care, does that mean government should have the authority to regulate
> individual behaviour that increases health risks?
>     I doubt anyone is brave enough to go there politically but a discussion
> does make sense, particularly since we are engaged in a broad dialogue here
> in B.C. over the principles contained in the Canada Health Act. Premier
> Campbell has added sustainability to the discussion.
>     I don't know how we can logically avoid that discussion. If lifestyle
> has such a huge impact on an individual's state of health (and it does), how
> can it not have an effect on accessibility, comprehensiveness and
> universality - three of the five criteria shaping our public health care
> services?
>     The medical profession is currently exhorting the population about
> obesity, surely something firmly anchored in lifestyle choices. We are told
> there are significant health and wellness risks associated with obesity that
> are totally within the control of the individual, i.e. diet and exercise.
> One particular health risks involved with obesity is Type Two Diabetes;
> again something we are told is quite manageable through lifestyle choices.
>     Are we to provide free medical care to people whose lifestyle choices
> expose them to health risks? After all, it is tax dollars that pay the bill
> and we don't need to look very far to see who is paying the taxes - that
> would be you and me.
>     What about drug and alcohol abuse? What about sexually transmitted
> diseases? What about injuries associated with participation in extreme
> sports? The list can go on -.
>     I can hear the screams already about human rights.
>     But, hang on a moment - the principle is already established. The Canada
> Health Act does not apply to members of the RCMP and Canadian Forces and
> does not include workers covered by provincial workers' compensation
> programs. These people have their medical coverage paid for in another way
> because it was felt that the health care system should not bear the brunt of
> the costs of these targeted areas of activity.
>     All I'm saying is that if people engage in behaviour that puts their
> health and well-being at risk, they should not be asking you and me to carry
> the financial burden of that risk. People are always going on about holding
> politicians to account. Well, how about holding individuals accountable for
> their own state of health and well-being? How about setting up a system
> similar to our car insurance that would assess lifestyle risks and charge
> premiums accordingly?
>     I know, I know; it is conventional wisdom that people have limited
> control over their own health and well-being, what with all that nasty junk
> food advertising, and with cigarettes and booze so readily available, not to
> mention all those toxins poisoning the environment.
>     It's the same old story: I would if I could, but I can't, so I won't.
> It's someone else's fault.
>
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