(Originally published in TheScoop2017, April 2017)
Ok, I’m dreaming here, but let me have my moment please. I realize the ideas in this post are simplistic and have probably already either been considered or discounted. Still, perhaps there is just one idea that could spark discussion.
Everyone knows we have a problem with healthcare costs and the foods we consume that contribute to health issues. Health care is big business in the U.S. How to fund this health machine has been recent debate surrounding Obama care and its repeal. But no one really seems to have a handle on exactly how to solve the problem. Presented here are a few ideas. This post doesn’t go into the nitty gritty of implementation, but only general ideas for consideration.
A health care tax on foods that are not healthy for the body collected in a health care fund could be used toward governmental subsidized health insurance programs. This fund would offset the medical costs taxpayers pay for individuals to be treated for illnesses caused by these foods, while at the same time make it harder for individuals to purchase them. Foods to include, but not limited to, would be those high in salt, refined sugars, and unhealthy oils, such as soda-pops, salty potato chips, donuts, and nearly everything on some fast-food menus.
A disadvantage of raising the cost of some of these food items is lowering the availability of foods low income people can afford. This next suggestion addresses that concern.
A healthcare credit could be given to
individuals who choose to purchase more healthy food options. This credit could be given in one or more of the following ways. I’m sure others can think of more.
- Organic and sustainable farming practices should be encouraged through government subsidy or tax credit. The lowered cost of production should be passed on to the consumer at the retail end allowing these foods to be accessible to more people.
- A tax incentive could be offered to corporations who maintain a volunteer health program for employees, having a dietician and/or health provider come in to assess an employee’s goals or to provide incentives for employees to eat healthy and exercise. The employer can then pass incentives onto employees.
- A penalty levied against slaughterhouses and large-scale cattle operations who are found to treat animals in inhumane ways, as defined by sources outside the industry and non-governmental parties. This would help offset the above subsidy or tax credit. Also, chemical companies such as Monsanto and others who have created products that are known to increase cancer risk should bear the burden of paying into a health fund. *
- A tax applied to some foods known scientifically to increase cancer growth would also help to offset the subsidy or tax credit. There has been research done showing consuming dairy in large quantities can decrease calcium in the bones and increase certain types of cancers. See a Harvard School of Public Health article and an article referencing the British Medical Journal. Also, meat in large consumption can increase cancer growth. Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a prior nutritional scientist at Cornell University and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, former top surgeon and head of Breast Cancer Task Force at Cleveland Clinic each pioneered studies concluding diets high in animal-based foods can lead to degenerative diseases as well as several types of cancers. Their work is documented in Forks over Knives. Read a synopsis of the documentary here. The average American consumes much more protein than is needed and not nearly enough vegetables to maintain quality health, so reducing our meat consumption would just be good all around. I am not suggesting all protein rich foods be taxed, but those foods known to contain chemicals that increase cancer and disease. Grass fed animal products are much healthier for the consumer and are already costly, therefore providing its own deterrent to over consumption.**
- Community gardens developed in lower income neighborhoods with participants receiving a tax incentive. These gardens could pull neighbors together, creating community and thus potentially reducing crime as families work together, bearing some of the responsibility for their own sustenance, health, and community. The garden could be complemented with classes given by dieticians, horticulturists and chefs, in a monthly series during the summer once plantings are in. During harvest season, participants would come together at least once per month for any of the weekly harvest/cleaning sessions at the local community center to prepare produce for storage and distribution. There could also be a weekly or monthly cooking session for neighbors to prepare a week’s worth of meals together to be taken home and consumed or frozen for a later time.***
- Lastly, Community Supported Agriculture has increased traction in communities across the U.S. for the past 15-20 years and in some communities these CSAs are available to low income families through welfare food assistance programs. This should be encouraged and grown. For an example of how this could work in a community, check out FairShare CSA Coalition. This coop of small, family owned farms is a way for individual households, regardless of income level, to receive locally grown, nutritious food.
NOTES:
*Our consumption of meat is more than what is needed. Also, the amount of resources needed to raise these animals has created or added to issues of global warming and water shortage through biofuels needed, chemicals applied, and crops like alfalfa and corn needing more water than crops these animals naturally consume when grazing.
**These videos each claim the governmental agencies established to police the food sources in the country are run by people associated with the very industries they are policing. These agencies have a lot of persuasion in laws established on food regulation as well. If so, this is a huge conflict of interest and these industries are being allowed to police themselves and set their own rules. Health care will not be fixed until these agencies are governed by people unaffiliated with food giants.
***Community gardens are not a new idea. Neighborhoods in Chicago and other large cities already have begun some community gardens. My suggestion relates to the government using these gardens to reduce health care costs by promoting them and incenting communities to participate. This would be healthy and cheap food, would build community, and instill work habits in youth. The downside is that participation takes time and those with the lowest incomes work long hours to earn enough money to support their families. This seems to be a problem that should be solved anyway. Schools and other neighborhood organizations could support families by providing labor either in the gardens or elsewhere to ease the burdens on these hardworking adults.