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Why Health Care Can't Just Be For the Healthy

What we need is a health care system that's based on need, not ability to pay. But we also need social policies that create the conditions for good health. The evidence also shows us that lifestyle choices such as decreasing smoking, exercise and good diet increase proportionally to an individual's social and economic status.
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In a recent media article, Nova Scotia's Health Minister, Leo Glavine, floated the idea that people should have to demonstrate healthy lifestyles before accessing our health care system, much like a bank assesses a customer for a loan. Sadly, this is not a new idea, but has been floated by others pundits and politicos over the years, often couched in the language of practicality and common sense. Health care is a privilege to be earned, not a right, they lobby.

Health care just for the healthy, in other words. Here's why such an idea would fail -- for all of us.

Not only would restricted health care access be unkind, it would be unwise, as this kind of barrier would result in people presenting later and sicker to hospital, incurring higher system costs -- costs that would inevitably be borne by Canadian taxpayers.

We are relieved that Mr. Glavine quickly recognized that a system based on the kind of pre-approval requested for bank loans would be inhumane. But why float the idea in the first place?

Our public health care system is there to help address inequality in our society by providing equal access to care for all -- not to shame the sick. Our entire population's health declines as inequity increases -- even in a wealthy country like Canada.

Of course, it would be better for all people in Canada to eat healthy food, stop smoking and exercise more -- as a doctor, I absolutely recommend those actions. However, it's often easier said than done. I also see first-hand exactly why it's difficult for many of my patients to make healthy choices.

It's difficult for some patients to afford the pharmaceuticals that keep their diabetes under control when they are already forced to choose between rent or putting food on the table.

It's difficult for some patients to buy nutritious foods -- or it's hard to find the time to cook when they're working multiple part-time jobs. It's hard to give up smoking when everyone in your family smokes and you've been addicted since you were 14 years old.

We don't need the health police, and we don't need a health bank. We don't need "get tough" messages about personal responsibility if we're not going to support better personal choices.

What does the evidence say?

We know, for example, that anti-smoking programs had no effect when we wagged our fingers at smokers -- but they had great effect when we used integrated strategies in public education, primary care and public health.

What we need is a health care system that's based on need, not ability to pay. But we also need social policies that create the conditions for good health.

The evidence also shows us that lifestyle choices such as decreasing smoking, exercise and good diet increase proportionally to an individual's social and economic status. In other words, improving lifestyles is more about improving inequality within a society, and less about criticizing people for poor choices.

There's no point in singling out those individuals who are "dependent" on our health care system. In truth, we are all dependent on our health care system to take care of us when we are ill or injured. And it's a value we share in Canada, to take care of each other through our health care system.

In fact, our health care system is an important tool we have to combat inequality in our society, by providing equal access to care for all.

Medicare lets people get their health back without the added burden of financial ruin, preventing a spiral into poorer health and poverty -- which affects society as a whole.

We need to think beyond simplistic prevention messages and reactive health care. We need to include serious efforts to reduce poverty, provide affordable, quality housing, and work to overcome systemic marginalization and discrimination.

It's a basic principle of health: if you treat the symptoms and not the underlying condition, your patient won't get better.

It's time to stop pointing the finger at individuals, and look instead toward policies that recognize the evidence and create the conditions for Canadians to make healthier choices.

ALSO ON HUFFPOST:

1. Finding a family doctor takes forever
And then you end up on a wait list for two years.
2. Specialists and hospitals don't talk
Which means your specialist might send you to a hospital with a long wait time instead of one with a short one.
3. Hospital parking is SO EXPENSIVE
And nobody makes change inside.
4. Doctors are too busy
And it always feels like they're rushing you out the door.
5. Friends with doctors in the family get better service
They magically get appointments in two weeks instead of eight months.
6. We have to pay for drugs/dentists/vision care
But we always forget and end up forgoing care or emptying the wallet.
7. And don't get us started on mental health coverage
Which often isn't covered either.
8. Family doctors insist you can't use walk-in clinics
Because they lose money every time you do. Why is the pay structure like this again?
9. Preventative care takes a backseat
Even though it could help us save money.
10. Moving provinces is a nightmare
We're supposed to have universal health care, but good luck figuring out the paperwork to get reimbursed for out-of-province care.
11. It costs money to get a sick note
Why do we pay for you to scribble gibberish on a notepad? Feels like a hidden fee.
12. And to renew prescriptions over the phone
Now I'm going to the office for no good reason. But the doctor will get paid, so the system will lose money on the transaction. Genius!
13. Doctors STILL HAVEN'T GONE DIGITAL
Even after the eHealth scandal in Ontario.
Seriously, do they just hate computers?
But even though things aren't perfect
At least we'll always be better than them
That is all
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