Focus EMU Online, Weekly Issue

Health care issues discussed at national forum hosted by EMU

Much like America's grassroots movements to dispose of trash, wear seat belts, impose strict penalties for drunk driving, and eliminate smoking from public facilities, it will take a groundswell of individual initiative to change the way the United States deals with health care.

At least according to Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who served as the keynote speaker for "Health Care Solutions for Michigan," a national health care policy forum hosted by Eastern Michigan University Oct. 14 at the Convocation Center.

A HEALTHY SOLUTION: Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
said the key to controlling health care costs in the
United States is to change the habits — including
improving eating and increasing exercise — of
Americans. Huckabee was the keynote speaker at a
national healthcare policy forum hosted by Eastern
Michigan University at the Convocation Center Oct.
14. Photo by Randy Mascharka

The forum, one of five scheduled nationally, also provided an opportunity for Michigan's legislators, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, and others in or with an interest in the health care industry, to publicly discuss their positions on health care policy in front of a large audience. The forum was a collaboration between the National Health Policy Council, the AARP, and the National Coalition on Health Care. Allergan presented the event.

"Health care costs, by necessity, are a major issue. But the real one is 'how can we make America a healthier nation?'" said Huckabee, who was named one of the nation's top five governors last year by Time Magazine and whose name has been bandied about as a Democratic candidate for president in 2008. "If not, we will have a broken, runaway system."

Huckabee, Arkansas's governor since 1996, said 75 percent of dollars spent on health care goes toward chronic diseases — chronic diseases he said that can be prevented with lifestyle changes.