This morning on NPR's Morning Edition, Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) complained that there is nothing in the current health care reform legislation that tells you what to eat or how much to exercise.
Interesting.
The full story is Taking Doctors' Profits Out Of Medical Care Decisions, but the eye-rolling part is this:
Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso, who is also an orthopedic surgeon, says there is nothing in the legislation now before Congress to motivate people to live healthier lifestyles — "nothing that's aimed at helping people individually and gives an incentive to that person to eat less, exercise more, and quit smoking."
OH NOES!!!
The Republicans think that the Federal Government should be legislating how much we eat? how much we exercise?
While trivial, I find this highly amusing. Can you imagine the uproar from this same senator if Al Franken or Nancy Pelosi had suggested the exact same thing? This "assault on our freedoms" would border on treason! "The over-bearing hand of the Federal Government knows no bounds!" would echo through the airwaves.
Now, don't get me wrong. These are important issues that are critical to disease prevention and overall good health. Getting Americans to eat right, exercise, and stop smoking will help bring down total spending on health care.
But Senator Barrasso, I want my doctor to talk to me about these things. Not you.