Should These People Be Charged If They Dont Help Themselves?

[youngmafbog]

http://news.sky.com/story/1145189/diabetes-will-create-public-health-disaster

The NHS is quite likely to be bought to it's knees by this. 85% of diabetics are type 2 that can be aided or prevented by exercise and diet.

Is it about time we started to look seriously at this, even perhaps going as far as charging people who do not bother to loose weight and exercise, or even remove NHS treatment? Perhaps if these people had less to spend on Pies and Beer then they would do something about it

Or perhaps the 'pasty tax' was not such a bad idea, after all smokers are clobbered for doing something that is dangerous. If we put a levy on unhealthy foods it could be used to fund the treatment of those that consume them?

I dont see why those that do bother to take care of themselves should have to pay for the feckless.

[jno]

In fact, why don't we just keep the NHS for the use of young fit people, who have no bad habits and don't like kids, think of how much money we would save?

Comment of the week, aog

[ummmm]

BMI is nonsense.

[boxtops]

where would you draw the line, MFB? There are loads of people round here who used to work in the coal mines, and now suffer with COPD - not their fault at all. What about all the respiratory care given to smokers? What about people who partake in dangerous sports? It wouldn't work.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// WOW - I have defended AOG on the AB - now that is a first!!! (I think) ///

No maybe it just that you have become knowledgeable to the fact that I type a whole lot of sense :0).

No seriously Andy it is not the first time that you have defended me, for which I thank you.

We seem to be as one over this, but it wouldn't take long for us to take our own individual ways, if I was to mention that I disagreed with those who have never paid a penny into the system reaping the benefits, ie NHS tourists.

Now before you start "There I told you so". :0)

[andy-hughes]

AOG - "No seriously Andy it is not the first time that you have defended me, for which I thank you."

You are most welcome - I will always post to defend any AB'er whom I feel is being unfairly criticised, or appears to have their comment misunderstood.

"We seem to be as one over this, but it wouldn't take long for us to take our own individual ways, if I was to mention that I disagreed with those who have never paid a penny into the system reaping the benefits, ie NHS tourists."

No - we are as one on that issue as well!!!

So, are we both shifting to the middle ground, or is age and time spent debating mellowing us in our (ahem!) senior years?

[mikey4444]

AOG...I find my self in agreement with you again ( 13.29 today ) The OP is a ludicrous suggestion.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// No - we are as one on that issue as well!!! ///

Amazing absolutely amazing !!!!!!!!! 'high five' clap is in order.

/// So, are we both shifting to the middle ground, or is age and time spent debating mellowing us in our (ahem!) senior years? ///

Don't know about you Andy, but I have been in my 'Senior Years' for years.

[sp1814]

I too agree with AOG on this.

We already pay for the NHS. I used to smoke, but gave up - should I be charged a penalty fee because I smoked?

[anotheoldgit]

mikey4444

Welcome aboard Mikkey, but although I disagree with youngmafbog over this one, it doesn't mean I disagree with most of what youngmafbog posts, because I don't.

He generally posts a lot of sense.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

Another one?

Have I died and gone to Answerbank heaven?

Excuses to all those atheists out there. :0)

[mikey4444]

I wouldn't dream of disagreeing with anyone here on AB, just because of who they are, but rather for what they said. So I may find myself in agreement with you, or YMB, or anyone else for that matter at any time in the future !

So we must enjoy this whilst it lasts !

[anotheoldgit]

mikey4444

Well said Mikey.

[andy-hughes]

Indeed - I have agreed and disagreed with youngmafbog on various occasions.

Now - how long can we all maintain this atmosphere of mutual understanding?

[cecil39]

My oh was not fat untill he had become diabetic, and now is on a permanent diet, the doctor told him that the pills he takes to control diabetes also cause weight gain in most people, you can't win in other words.

[LazyGun]

I do not see how you can, realistically or practically introduce charges for those who "do not bother to lose weight", or remove treatment. Cannot be done.

And the same applies to applying a levy to unhealthy foods. Who makes the decisions about what foods are unhealthy anyway?

I do agree with the OP regarding the cause in the increase of type 2 diabetes though. There is a wider range of factors than just obesity and lack of exercise, but those factors themselves are probably the most important contributors.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes-type2/Pages/Causes.aspx

AoG said something to the effect that one of the main reasons that diabetes 2 appears to be explosively rising is because we were unable to diagnose it so well previously - I would be very interested to know where they got that information from, because that is certainly not my experience, nor the experience of any health professional colleagues that I am aware of.

What is required, boring as it sounds, is greater efforts in educating the public on what constitutes healthy eating, urging the public to take greater exercise, and the consequences of living a life with diabetes type 2.

A greater focus at school on food and diet and cooking healthily would not go amiss either. Continuing to pressure food manufacturers to remove excessive quantities of sugar and salt and fat from their products should also remain.