Hi. This is just a rough idea, but I felt I should share it.
Our country is dealing with a huge obesity problem. In short, we need to get this country to exercise.
I think it would be worthwhile for the government to set aside funds to partially subsidize exercise and fitness programs.
While we do have low cost alternatives like the YMCA and public park space for running and jogging that’s clearly not doing enough. And, for a lot of people those spaces now have a low class stigma to them. Regardless of how great they are.
Now maybe this is something that can be tackled with healthcare reform, or maybe it’s just part of boosting the nations morale, but I think it would be amazing if the government worked out a system where we could just walk into an eligible gym or fitness class and pay little or nothing. Gyms would have to meet specific criteria and obviously cost needs to be managed appropriately.
This would ultimately make America fitter and it would result in lower health care related costs (heart disease, diabetes, etc). A fit and healthy population needs less medical attention.
Maybe it’s something to be included in a (long fabled) “single payer” health care system. But in the meantime, I think it would be fantastic to see the government making a push to get America back in shape. If we the taxpayers all split the cost everyone could enjoy life at the fullest – even those who have recently lost their jobs.
I know our obesity is caused by a lot of cultural factors and that not everyone wants to go to a yoga class, lift weights, and run around a track; but, I think providing some sort of government funded exercise would be a big morale boot for America. It’s time we did something fun with our tax dollars. It can't all be war and auto bailouts.
Comments (3)
PLEASE - no more federal government programs requiring politicians to use taxpayer dollars efficiently and honestly.
What people consume is just as important as exercise, but I can't vote for anything that will give us MORE Federal Government intervention. We are bankrupt already. We ARE in a depression.
Keep the government out of it, we have enough problems as it is!