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When I started Dr. Bernstein, I knew the cost of the program. If youve read my other posts, I have no problem rationalizing why I support paying the $150 per week for the program (since I was paying the same amount per week ingesting fatty foods and imbibing in sugar-laden booze and pop.)
When you register, the clinic tells you that your private employer health insurance, or your province, might cover your costs.
All excited, I checked with my plan. Unfortunately, in 2006, my health plan decided cancel covering supplementary injections, though it had provided for it previously.
Shoot - three years too late...
This poses a theoretical debate in my mind.
As we Canadians and Americans expand our girth exponentially every year, and head to our graves in highest numbers due to heart disease (caused in large part by our horrid diets) we are implored by health officials, government promotional campaigns, education systems and a multi-billion dollar consumer industry, to lead lives of good health and practice prevention.
Eat our balanced meals from the Canadian Food Guide they say - the good balance of foods. Just dont look too intently at the rest of the contents such as MSG, preservatives, sugar, sodium and fat levels...
Here I am, for the benefit of my health, investing a sizeable sum in active weight loss and future health prevention activities and education.
Doesnt my provincial government and employer care?
Will I be able to deduct my expenditures in my annual tax return as a medical expense? I dont know yet, but Ill certainly be including it for my accountant to scrutinize.
Can I be reimbursed from my employers health plan? No - not anymore. Not for a plan that over the course of my 12 years with the same employer, and all the premiums I have paid, would have easily paid for the total cost of the program a few times over.
And would I support our public health care plan to cover these costs? Youre darn right I would. To support mine, my neighbours, my familys and my colleagues efforts to get healthier and lead more productive lives.
You cant tell me that by investing in weight loss programs and medically supervised supplements, that the productivity of our provincial and Canadian workforce isnt a good investment!
I guess for employers they dont care that I may have missed work and taken sick leave or extended medical leave for, upon reflection, what were certainly weight-induced illnesses such as:
- back pain
- gastrointestinal flare-ups
- totally lethargic and lack of energy
- a leave of absence for 3 months due to depression
Dr. Bernstein, a Canadian physician, supports government monitoring of weight loss programs - even his own.
Like him, I agree that like provincial and territorial governments in Canada should focus less on the debate to scrutinize programs, but support the public who are taking an active step forward in reaching health targets that are advocated in public policy, espoused in public outreach campaigns, and envisioned in long-term strategic health objectives.
For those of us taking an active step to improve our current and future health, and paying the hefty provincial and private premiums for the health insurance and medical plans, I expect this to be covered!
I was incensed to learn that I could receive a variety of other medical services and prosthetics that, in all likelihood, I will never need to access. However, for a service that has obvious immediate and long-term benefits, I cannot get any relief.
Now heres an issue that Ill be taking up with my union.
Better yet - heres the basis for a good public policy and program. I could easily draft up a logic model, policy framework, grant and contribution program guideline and results-based accountability framework on this one....
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