Meijer announced last week that they will offer several types of antibiotics free to anyone with a prescription - no strings attached. While I'm sure that the Meijer management feels that this will be economically good for the company, it is still an act worthy of praise. Others, like Wal-Mart and Giant Eagle, are offering $4 prescription-filling for many commonly prescribed drugs. While all of this is certainly helpful, it will not solve the problem of how our society pays for what seem like ever-increasing healthcare costs.
We live in a time where science and technology have made great strides. People live longer, their conditions can be treated and the quality of their lives improved. It all comes with a price tag, however. In the case of Medicare and Medicaid - you and I pay that price, along with every one else in the nation.
Many folks decried "universal healthcare" when it was discussed a decade ago. I'd suggest reviving a form of that discussion - namely tax payer funded, universal healthcare for everyone under the age of 18. Vaccinations, ear infections, broken bones, even well check-ups...everything that helps kids grow up to be healthy adults. I'd suspect that our long-term health care costs (Medicaid and Medicare) would drastically drop once this program was 10-20 years underway. Healthy kids have a tendency to be healthy adults; healthy adults cost tax payers, society and the GDP less, in the long run.
It isn't a program that you can start and stop on a whim. It is a long term commitment, but if we ever want to get a handle on the overall cost of healthcare, we have to start before people start to develop the habits and lifestyles that will ultimately lead to conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Teach them now or treat them later. Which do you think is less expensive?
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