October 25th, 2009
Health Care and Personal Responsibility
By Sean
Perhaps my conservative disposition biases my life motive, but through my personal experience I have always learned that no one is ever entitled to anything. Personal responsibility and accountability are two attitudes that any citizen in a free country must possess for that country to prosper. It is unfair and irresponsible to reward individuals who deny accountability – those who consciously choose ignorance over responsibility. The potential reality for universal health care for all citizens disregards justice and equality to those Americans who are making an effort to live a healthy life. Simply stated, if tax supported, universal health care were to pass, healthy people should not have to pay the same price as those who will undoubtedly require more attention and expense. Health care reform should subscribe to the car insurance approach – safe drivers pay less for car insurance due to the fact that they are less likely to use it.
Approximately seventy-five percent of U.S. health care costs are a result of personally preventable chronic illness (Center for American Progress, 2007). Two specific, voluntary, and absolutely preventable behaviors are responsible for over $220 billion of health care costs in the United States: obesity and smoking.
