For the presidential run he says he isn't interested in.

Gingrich: Health care reform should start with behavior

By Dawson Bell • Free Press Lansing Bureau • March 11, 2009

LANSING – Improving the quality and access to health care in Michigan should start with efforts to reform behavior, like a ban on smoking in the workplace and mandatory exercise for school children, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich told a state senate health policy panel this morning.

Gingrich, the former Republican congressman who now heads the Center for Health Transformation, said policymakers, the public and the media often make the mistake of viewing health care reform primarily as a financial challenge, rather than a complex mix of individual behavior, cultural influence and uneven quality.

Expanding access to health care and improving citizens’ health won’t happen by changing the financial model, he said.

“If all you do is try to figure out how to finance the current system, you’ll go broke,” Gingrich said. “The current system is stunningly wasteful.”

Gingrich appeared before the state Senate Health Policy Committee as part of a health-care related trip to Michigan.

Much of his testimony focused on the need to find ways to change behavior, especially in the state’s poorest communities. Government can encourage healthier eating and living by providing financial and tax incentives, such as providing a food stamp bonus to recipients who purchase more fruits and vegetables, he said.

sounds like socialism

Didn't you get the memo?

It's okay when republicans do it!

Aint gonna happen

Personal responsibility has been a plank in the conservative platform for as long as I can remember. Throwing money into the fire, to try and put it out is a left wing idea.

Nice try though..

facism, actually. there is a distinct difference of economic involvement.

I have had more info from a bar with alcohal.....there are debates form all sdes and....we agree to disagree

And how much of this 'personal responsibility' is Rush Limbaugh practicing vis-a-vis healthy choices to cut down on health expenditures? He abuses powerful prescription drugs, smokes cigars and is waaaay overweight.

Think maybe he didn't get Newt's memo?

I used to be on discussion groups with some pretty vocal Rush supporters who were older than myself, and when you pinned them down on healthcare issues, they pretty much admitted that Limbaugh 'just doesn't get it'.

But keeping pressing that 'socialized medicine' FUD button-- one of these days you'll find out you're not immortal and probably be a lot sadder but wiser after finding out how the system really works even if you have insurance.




-Kerry O.

By such measure we shall obtain the power of destroying little by little, step by step, all that at the outset when we enter on our rights, we are compelled to introduce into the constitutions of States to prepare for the transition to an imperceptible abolition of every kind of constitution, and then the time is come to turn every form of government into OUR DESPOTISM.

The bait and switch. I don't recall seeing Limbaughs name in the post.

You all are so concerned with Limbaugh that you inject his name in every discussion.

"the sky is blue" but Limbaugh said "obama must fail"..

"holding people responsible for smoking or over eating" but.. but.. but.. Limbaugh said "I hope Obama fails"...

"Hey Joe, did you see the knicks won tonight?" "No Bob, but I heard limbaugh said he hopes obama fails".

HA HA HA

Check the balance sheet bud!

"Personal responsibility has been a plank in the conservative platform for as long as I can remember. Throwing money into the fire, to try and put it out is a left wing idea."

HA HA HA

Two points for the funniest post of the day.

Shrub and Reagan both spent more than Clinton...but keep buying the hype that feeds you.

They would have to increase the bonus on the foodstamps alot if they want people on foodstamps to have the money for fruit and vegetables.

I try to eat healthy but cannot afford to and I don't get foodstamps.

The people on foodstamps get appx 80 dollars in foodstamps a month for each person in the household and the amount goes down from there if they have any income to count.

There's enough conservatives and Republicans who won't vote for him if indeed he did run, because he sold his soul to the media and Democrats like Pelosi and Clinton years ago.

While Obama has spent more in 50 days than all 43 presidents before him combined.

When you're forcing me and your neighbors to pay your health care bill, you're being personally irresponsible. That's what "socialized medicine" is: me and everyone around you paying for your health care.

Rush can chain smoke his cigars and eat fatty foods for all I care, at least he's up front about the fact that he doesn't want you or I to pay for his health care bills.

Lets stay real please.

Obama spent nothing... He signed a bill involving monies that CONGRESS asked for voted on and sent to him... (a bill which he did not have the support needed to veto - to many theives still working in congress)

With the way we are all bickering about whos at fault do you think he feels that we would back him if he had decided NOT to sign it.

He can't stand up for US if we don't stand up for him.

So, you're saying 20 million conservatives a week _can_ be wrong? That would be refreshing, to see that the conservative movement actually does have a penchant to think for themselves instead of just mouthing Limbaugh talking points like lemmings on the brink.

The not-so-ardent Limbaughers I mentioned in my last post weren't rabid neo-conservatives who think that anyone who is less fortunate than themselves is a leech for those more fortunate. And the reason is this: sometimes empathy has to be earned through getting brush-burned by life. And some people will never get it until it happens to them.


-Kerry O. "The man who dies with the most money is still dead."

Oh, but is he? I don't think it's too far-fetched to bet he is covered under a group health plan that is a perk in his contract. Who knows who else is on that plan? It's also not far-fetched to guess his shennanigans with the illegal drugs and treatment for that addiction cost his insurer a bundle. Which means it collectively cost other people on the plan--is that okay with you, and if so, is it because he's wealthy and that changes everything?


-Kerry O.

you're assuming for some reason that he might not have wanted to sign it. you can bet the farm that he was all about signing it. he ain't stupid he knows who butters his bread. and trust me, israel wouldn't let anyone they didn't want in there, to be president.