THE STORY SO FAR: PART 199

DO WE REALLY HAVE A HEALTHCARE SYSTEM—OR IS IT MISNAMED?

For some time I have been subscribing to a free newsletter on health matters put out by a Dr. Mercola. Reportedly, nearly two million others do the same thing.

His main business seems to be marketing supplements of various kinds—which I have never bought, (as yet)—but but I do read his mailings and have long thought they, mostly, make a great deal of sense—though I debate his views on vaccinations.

Is he controversial? Of course. Anyone who is so opposed to the status quo could scarcely be otherwise. But, fundamentally, he seems sound; and he backs his opinions with a great deal of data.

I speak, as a layman, of course—albeit I have researched the healthcare area for my book, TITANIC NATION: HOW TO AVOID ICEBERGS—so take my opinions as no more than that.

Here are Dr. Mercola’s beliefs in his own words:

• The US does not have a health care system; we have a disease-management system that is dependent on expensive drugs and invasive surgeries. It’s a system rooted in an ideal of maximized profits, opposed to helping people maintain or regain their health
• The US spends more on health care than the next 10 biggest spenders combined: Japan, Germany, France, China, the U.K., Italy, Canada, Brazil, Spain and Australia, yet the US ranks last in health and mortality analysis of 17 developed nations
• Integrative medicine (IM) is a better alternative to the current system, as it offers a combination of conventional medical therapies and complementary or alternative therapies "for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness"
• The Affordable Health Care Act is likely to make matters far worse rather than better, as the Act does not include any strategies to prevent illness. Nor does it contain any measures to rein in or reduce out-of-control health care costs related to overcharges. Instead it expands an already flawed model of “care” that has been and continues to be one of the leading causes of both death and bankruptcy in the US.

Harsh words—but look at the evidence. You’ll find him at www.mercola.com