One of the best mangers I ever worked for was at a local wine shop. He knew how to motivate, he always knew profit margin and he provided even the lowest peon (me) with health insurance. I learned a lot from Steve; the difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir and how not to make a suckers bet.
Steve had a head for numbers. Once a year he would arrive at work with an extra spring in his step armed with the knowledge that his wages for the rest of the year were his to keep. The logic being that all the income he had generated up to that date covered that year’s tax owed. Bizarre logic, I know, but a great conversation always ensued for the rest of the week. How much further into the year it took over the previous year, what else would you rather spend that money on…and how many hours, days, or weeks would you work to attain other things you want in life.
Keep in mind, I worked at a wine shop, it’s a very nice wine shop, but alcohol is the chief product and friendly wagers were usually a part of most “team building” activities. We all knew the tournament point differential for the NCAA, employees bonded at basement rec room craps games and the Las Vegas marathon was a notable third to the Twin Cities and Duluth races for the company running club. The Minnesota races are close to home were beautiful to run, Vegas just had better odds. The draw of Las Vegas was so appealing to one of my wine shop co-workers that he honeymooned there. Unfortunately, he and his new wife ended up walking to catch the flight home having gambled and lost everything down to cab fare.
I think that if I still worked in Steve’s shop today the conversation would have turned to heath care and how much we paid or were worried about spending in the future to secure our health. How to pay for health care has made just about every list of critical community issues I have ever seen. Many employers are currently buried by health care costs, and it’s not just the current workforce, but the growing retired workforce adding to this growing debt.
How much are we willing to gamble to pay for health care? Are the odds on health-care reform too long for us? The facts are that the past several administrations all failed to put together and pass health-care reform and that no matter what happens with the current administration attempts, our local government and employers will still be left with a large funding gap to provide health care.
I don’t have to go to Vegas to know the odds are long for passing health-care reform. The honeymoon is over my friends and there is no cab fare in the kitty. You and I are being forced to bet the “hard eight”. Fortunately, we do not have to settle for a blind bargain. Ask for more information and don’t let the “shouters” prevent our representatives from creating health care we all can live with.
Wendy! Actually there are many health plans that include reimbursements for membership fees to people who workout 8-12 times per month, and Minnesota insurance companies are really leading the way in this effort. Our club currently processes usage reports for members who have coverage for over 10 of these companies. It really is good news for people who want to workout but can’t afford to. The catch is that the employer has to select this option for coverage for their employees. One of our leading providers is South Country Health Alliance which is health insurance for low income residents of Minnesota.
Also, there is legislation in the works that will provide incentives to employers who offer wellness programs that include reimbursements. But still, more can be done to help educate, motivate and empower people to make even the smallest effort, and your point about the single parent is well-taken. Our club offered a free yoga class for kids so parents could workout while the kids were not only active but also learning important relaxation skills. We also freeze membership dues for people out-of-work and looking for jobs. We offer 21-Day fitness programs with 6-free personal training sessions that not only eliminate the intimidation factor but also teaches people how to exercise safely and effectively. We have a 75% success rate which means that 75% of the people who participate in this program choose to continue exercising. We give away free memberships to people who spread the word about living a healthy lifestyle too!
I hope we’ll see more programs available through the entire health and fitness industry to encourage and reward prevention efforts. In the meantime, we can help each other within our communities by creating walking/running clubs, neighborhood weight loss challanges, babysitting co-ops so parents can take turns being active, sharing healthy meals with each other etc. I truly believe that WE are the cure for healthcare costs!
Jill – I think you are right – preventative health measures should be a huge part of how people think about health care. If policies/plans included incentives or reduction in costs (which some do, albeit very few!) that would be a huge factor. However cost of clubs, trainers and even fitness equipment (running shoes) can be a huge barrier to some. I am really fortunate and I walk out my front door and am immediately on the biking and walking trails that cover and connect the metropolitan area. However some folks are not even safe walking in their neighborhood.
For me – I know what I have to do and what my own perceived barriers are to a more healthier lifestyle. (Time, cost, etc) And I know with more effort I can do it. But some folks the barriers are much greater – single Mom taking a bus with her kids to daycare and another one, maybe two to work and back again, who doesn’t have an option for child care so she can go for a walk. My stress is far less than hers – but there are too many nights where I just order a pizza because it is easier!
I think the work you do to reach as many people you can about healthier lifestyles is crucial. But “knowing” and “doing” are two different things and sometimes people don’t make better choices because they just don’t have options!
Do you think if there was a provided health care plan – that included opportunities for club, fitness class and exercise that it would help? I wonder….such a really good part of the conversation that isn’t really in the discussion right now…..
Hopefully after last night, the momentum is shifting more toward getting things done and less to the fear tactics. Rep. Wilson may have actually done us all a favor by spotlighting just how out of hand the shouting has become.
Working in the area of Children’s Health I do hope we start to hear more about the needs of children in health reform. Medicaid is the number one insurer of children in the country… but having Medicaid doesn’t ensure kids to access to quality care. Many doctors and specialty clinics don’t take Medicaid patients because Medicaid reimburses at a rate even lower than Medicare. We need to fix this issue to provide coverage AND access for all kids in this country. It’s the best long term health investment we can make.
There is so much we can do as individuals to secure our health. While we discuss and blog about how much we should pay or how much our government should or shouldn’t do, we can also ask ourselves “what am I doing to create good health for myself?” Thus, minimizing the need for costly care. It’s interesting to note that I rarely hear this part of the discussion, and I wonder why?
I am happy to report that as the owner of 3 fitness clubs and a yoga instructor, I see daily, courageous individuals working to change their lifestyle and create healthier bodies, minds and spirits. They are quitting smoking, drinking, changing their diets, exercising regularily and minimizing stress through yoga and meditation. I might add that I never hear these individuals express concerns about healthcare. Could it be because they feel empowered to be part of a solution and basically just feel good? Maybe. But I’m also inclined to believe that they have less fear about their health and are, therefore, less consumed by healthcare issues.
Two years ago, I attended a fitness industry conference held in Minnesota. One of the attendees was a woman from California who had never been to Minnesota. One morning, she turned to me and said, “I could never live in this state. There’s a Walmart and McDonald’s on every corner. No wonder these people are so unhealthy and fat!” Pretentious and offensive? Absolutely!! Were her observations true? I couldn’t help but think about it. How are we living our lives? Our lifestyles are making us ill and then we are outraged when the care that we need to cure us of our self-imposed illnesses is too expensive.
Last October, my husband had a heart attack. He was 48 years old, and the most physically fit individual I know. Unfortunately, a product of bad genes. Did he need expensive care? Yes. But it wasn’t the care that saved his life. When the doctor’s emerged from the OR only 20 minutes into the angiogram, they were shocked to report that his heart was healthy and strong and his vessels would rival that of a young man in his twenties. Yes, you can “do” all the “right” things and still get sick. But as the doctor’s pointed out to us, It was my husbands commitment to fitness that saved his life and ultimately prevented any further costly care.
Is it easy? No. It takes courage, determination and a loving relationship with ourselves. It is my hope that when we find ourselves discussing the issue of healthcare and becoming angry, fearful and even outraged, we ask ourselves, “what have I done today to help myself be healthier?” And, if the answer is, “not much” forgive ourselves and know that we can try harder tomorrow. If the answer is, “I worked out, meditated and ate my daily requirement of fruits and vegetables” pat yourself on the back and know that you have made a most noble contribution to the cause for yourself and others. We can start by saving the debate and doing something healthy.
It seems that we are at a now-or-never point in reforming our healthcare system. The need for reform is everywhere I turn – my neighbors, my family and my friends.