Health insurance and wellness.

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Author: Unknown

This REPORT has offered columns going back to 1984 suggesting that health insurance is a bad investment for wellness seekers, most of the time (for example, see the lengthy attack on health insurance in AWR #18th, the Winter 1989 edition). It's way too expensive, it covers the wrong things, it subsidizes those who live dreadful lifestyles and it does not reinforce or reward positive initiatives that assist policy-holders to stay well in the first place.

Now comes a study published in the journal HEALTH AFFAIRS indicating that aproximately six million workers are opting out of health insurance! The main reason, of course, is high costs (employee share, that is--most workers are not yet concerned with the amount the company contributes to such plans). Regrettably, most of those declining are at the bottom of the economic rung--and these are the folks most likely to need protection from medical ruination due to poor lifestyle practices and little fiscal cushion in the event of serious illness or accidents.

One strange reason for the higher costs and thus greater rejection--some companies favor higher- priced plans (with higher employee share costs) in order to take advantage of a tax break, according to Alain Enthoven, one of the study authors. Why does our government give a tax advantage to companies that invest in super coverage policies? NOT a good idea.

The wellness recommendation is to seek higher wages and benefits OTHER than standard health insurance, buy catastrophic coverage for medical emergencies with very high deductables and live in a manner consistent with optimal well being. There are now 41 million uninsured Americans, myself included. Until the program is reformed as noted above, you ought to consider joining us.

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ARDELL WELLNESS REPORT