In all of the discussions about the Affordable Care Act and how to rein in the escalating cost of medical care in this country, no one seems to mention the need for patients to become more informed and to take more responsibility for their own health. Greed, ego, lack of time or even discouragement with human nature can drive physicians to prescribe a pill or recommend surgery when a discussion about losing weight or quitting smoking might make more sense. But doctors have told me they're not reimbursed for the time it takes to educate patients, and too often, patients want an easy fix.
