Health care: Affordability and shared responsibility

Everyone wants affordable health care. We can solve this problem in a very simple way.

It's called 'shared responsibility" and investments. We have five components in the health care world that have a responsibility to make it work and make it affordable.

First, every individual is responsible for a healthy lifestyle and preventative health practices, and they must invest in their health by budgeting for their affordable health care.

Second, the employer, on any given work day, has control of their employees for 8 hours of the 24 hours, one-third of the time. (Sometimes more and sometime less.) They must provide a healthy environment in which to work and must invest in the health of their employees by putting in their budget health care costs for all of their employees.

Third, the health care insurance companies have the responsibility of providing "investment for health care service, not-for-profit." Their responsibility is to their customers, not their company share holders. Incentives should be available for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A public-run non-profit insurance company will show them how it is done. High CEO pay will be a no-no. Profits will be a no-no.

Fourth, the health care providers have the responsibility to provide more primary care doctors for preventative care. They should not be responsible for administrative costs. Their time is most important with their patients.

Fifth, the government's responsibility is to help put into place the four above components. They will also step up to the plate to help those who are unable to budget fully their own health care costs.

The responsibility of each of these components is what will make a healthy America. It will work.

We can do it. It is not taxes, taxes, taxes' It is investments, investments and more investments for our own healthy life and a healthy country. Everyone needs to be involved.

Contact U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester and Rep. Denny Rehberg to advocate that there are shared responsibilities that can make it work. Let's get it done.

Yenne is a resident of Bigfork.