Healthcare Reform Network Magazine

Healthcare reform has been on the table of legislation for many years. We now have a “bill“ that has passed through the congress and from what I understand, it is meant to make much needed changes to our healthcare system as we know it. The bill is meant to “build on what works in today’s health care system and fixes the parts that are broken” (Bill Summary).  My question is – Are there really any parts that are working?

Reform – according to Webster means  a.  change into an improved form or condition b : to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses; c. to become changed for the better

Now, this is a great undertaking, to say the least, and it appears that most people are aware and agree that something needs to be done. As a healthcare provider, this writer has seen the overwhelming changes that have occurred within the healthcare system over the past three decades.  Consumers have always depended on the provider to make the diagnosis, and recommend a treatment. But long gone are the days of being able to spend time with your doctor to discuss reasons why we are ill.

While attempting to get through the multitude of information in the proposed bill is difficult at best, it does seem to encompass many aspects of the system involved, and looks to include everyone.  It is a valiant effort and one that will take years and many teams of passionate and interested people to make happen. But let’s be honest – accountability and interest to change does not exist in the food industry. In order for real reform to happen, the food industry has to come clean about what is really in our food, and how much if it is not real food (genetically modified) and the absolute abuses that occur in order for the food to get to the supermarket shelves.

The intention is to make it better. But by who’s perspective?  Much like attempting to diagnose a health issue, the exploration here needs to be done as to why our country is in this place of such a broken system. Much like ignoring a pain experienced in our body, as a signal that something is wrong, as a country we have ignored the signals that there is and has been something wrong in our system for far too long. It has become a chronic condition.

In order to make a significant difference in our reform, major core issues are being addressed. It is obvious that controlling costs is important, and prevention and wellness are terms being used frequently.  But as a consumer and provider of health care, this is nothing new.

Prevention and wellness needs to start at the level of the consumer. Government regulations and reform will only put a Band-Aid on the problem. Healing the system will take interest, dedication and accountability by every citizen and every food company and insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. Past history shows that the interest to reform does not exist at that level.

Making healthier lifestyle choices throughout our lives, and doing the hard work of changing those things we do that put us at risk for illness is imperative for change to happen. In order for the consumer to know how to make better choices, the education needs to be provided, and the insurance companies, need to “cover” these wellness choices.  Many citizens want to know what to do, and how to do it, and reach out to the holistic providers because the usual way, isn’t making them feel any better.  However, due to the costs of these providers and the education, people do not participate.  Insurance companies need to understand the profound difference there would be in their output of costs if they would cover these preventative choices.

The insurance companies and big Pharma need to be aware of the fact that as wonderful and as lifesaving they have been to so many, they are also having the opposite effect on just as many. There is and are different ways of healing, and integration of these modalities will bring about TRUE healthcare reform.  Better nutrition, less stress, and cleaning up our environment of the toxicity we have perpetrated, needs the dedication from the citizens, the corporations, the food industry and the healthcare industry. It’s time we all take a look at what we as individuals can do to contribute to this “reform”, and not wait for the government to regulate us. As a team, we can instigate growth and healthier outcomes for everyone.

About the Author

Theresa Healy, RN

Holistic Health Counselor

Author – 11 Weeks to Discover Nutrition

Theresa Healy 

Founder, Rx: Food  Let food be your medicine;

Co-Author, 11 Weeks to Discover Nutrition 

Theresa has been a Registered Nurse for more than 25 years, with experience in Pediatrics, emergency medicine, and trauma. She always knew, she would be a nurse, in order to fulfill her purpose of being of service. She loved it, and was passionate about it. In 1990, with the emergence of her own health challenges, her path took an unexpected turn. She met a nutrition counselor. Using food as medicine, and experiencing the benefits of eating fresh whole foods she realized there was a void, in our health care system’s approach to health! Why isn’t nutrition a component of everyone’s goal for health? Her question was laughed at by most of her colleagues.

This is when the path veered and Theresa accepted that she had to enter into the new territory of alternative and complementary medicine.  In the year 2000, she was given a new challenge. It became necessary for her to combine her experience, medical knowledge and passion and faith in food toward her former husband and oldest child. They witnessed profound healing and the only medicine was food. She prevented her son from having to take pharmaceutical drugs for ADD and her former husband recovered from severe Gulf War Syndrome. What better testimonial do you need then this amazing personal experience to set your passion on fire!

Theresa is Certified as a Health Counselor from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and Columbia University, in New York City. She also has Certification as a Colon Hydrotherapist, specializing in cleansing and detoxification and a Chelation and IV therapy Technician. Add to that, her Registered Nurse credentials; the result is a recipe for healing.

Theresa’s passion continues to be of service and guiding people to be happy and healthy through food and lifestyle. She believes that health and well-being depends upon both good nutrition and healthy lifestyle. She LOVES her work and lives in gratitude every day for the opportunity to combine both her passion for food and her medical knowledge into a program for well being.