What if the federal government financially rewarded citizens for getting their annual check-ups and routine blood work? Here’s how it could work:
$1,000 Reward for Preventive Care
After completing an annual check-up and discussing blood work with a healthcare provider, each citizen would receive $1,000 on a federally issued ID card. This amount could be used strictly for healthy, whole foods like protein and fresh produce (with a focus on organic, no-added-sugar items) from supermarkets or farmers’ markets.
Extra Reward for Good Health Markers
If certain health markers—like an A1C below 5.7%—are met, an additional $5,000 would be added to the card. This bonus would support further health-conscious spending on items like exercise equipment, gym memberships, saunas, bicycles, and other healthy lifestyle purchases.
Expanding to Preventive Screenings
The same program could reward citizens for completing key preventive screenings like mammograms, pap smears, and colonoscopies—tests that catch conditions early, saving lives and healthcare costs long-term.
This vision would encourage proactive health management, potentially backed by leaders who emphasize wellness and disease prevention. It could foster a culture of health where citizens are not only motivated to stay well but also given the resources to do so, helping drive down healthcare costs and improving quality of life nationwide.
Good question. Thanks for the interest. The dollar figures are arbitrary. We do need a dollar amount that will get people to take action.
Currently, only 20% of the population gets an annual physical. Many people are unaware of their key health indicators (e.g., A1C, cholesterol, blood pressure). Regular check-ups provide the opportunity to understand these “numbers” and track improvements. This knowledge alone has been shown to increase motivation for healthy choices. We need an incentive big enough to get them in the door.
Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, already impose a huge financial burden on the U.S. healthcare system. The CDC estimates chronic disease costs over $3.5 trillion per year in direct costs alone. If current trends continue, the economic burden from chronic diseases could double in the next 20-30 years, due to factors like aging populations, lifestyle diseases, and the long-term effects of untreated conditions. Preventative care and early detection could offset these projected costs significantly.
Some potential funding sources could be:
Some of the funding could be reallocated from current healthcare spending on chronic illness management and redirected toward prevention.
Health insurance providers and government programs could collaborate to split costs, especially if the program demonstrates long-term savings through reduced claims and healthcare expenses.
Companies that benefit from a healthier workforce (lower healthcare costs, increased productivity) could contribute through wellness funds. Businesses might even get tax breaks for participating.
Maybe this could be done as a pilot study in a state or two before rolling it out federally.
My view is that during yearly health screening. Drs, must provide a health preventive maintenance program. If you are on any medication such as cholesterol or diabetics the goal should be to get you off these drugs with healthy alternatives that are proven.
I was unaware that mammograms caused cancer. What test(s) can be done to catch breast cancer early? Blood test? I am all for the Presidential Physical Fitness Awards!
Monthly self checks for lumps, and routine parasite cleansing. The machines purposely squeeze the ducts and then radiate while they squeeze. This is particularly dangerous, as it’s supposed to be done annually. There’s a new thing called dense breasts, which then mean the patient has to get an ultrasound because the mammogram doesn’t work. If you noticed, there has been an increase in breast cancer over the past 30-40 years, since it’s been recommended to get these every year.
Don’t get mammograms. It’s known the way these machines work squeeze (stress) the mammary gland then radiate. We have noticed cancer has been increased in diagnosis, but also so has the push for women to get mammograms. More women are getting these yearly.
Note: A rather new diagnostic procedure has been created to help check for prostate cancer - it is a modified MRI! “Because it is safe and gentle for the patient” was stated by one doctor. I agree it must be safe and gentler, and it benefits men for the better. But why the uncomfortable , embarrassing, and invasive female-specific exams/procedures for women?