- Former Premier Gordon Campbell, his top Ministers and the Mayors were all aware of my ideas.
- Last year I advocated the creation of a "TransLink Wellness-Hub" and entered the Pepsi-Challenge competition to see if I could win funds to help start a Pilot-Project. Although this effort was not successful, it did generate interest from some members of the public and the media.
- "Scientifically-Proven, Incentive-Based, SmartCard-Enabled" - The "discussion" continues...
A TransLink Wellness-Hub would generate revenue for TransLink by offering incentives to people who improve and maintain their health, this in-turn would reduce healthcare costs to the BC Government, which in-turn could use some of those cost-savings to help fund transit.
The style of program I am advocating is already used by large Corporations in the US and results in the improved health of their employees and cost savings to employers by reduced insurance premiums. Although our healthcare system is different here, being operated by the government, a similar program is possible with the ensuing healthcare cost savings passed onto government.
Large-Scale (corporate) Wellness Programs typically involve giving people incentives (rewards) for achieving improved health results. Such things as - stop smoking (and stop doing drugs if that is the case), reduce drinking, lose weight, exercise, improve diet and sleep... all lifestyle things that can be changed by education and behavior. Conveniently, these things can also be measured (tested-for) medically and scientifically... and through the use of SmartCards, SmartPhones, Pedometers and other gadgets, as well as the Internet - individual performance can be tracked... - For example, using transit (which is healthier than driving), using a treadmill (with smartcard inserted to record results), buying healthy food (via coupons on smartcard).... the possibilities are infinite...
- Incentives ? How about free transit (if you stop smoking and lose weight) ? How about a free computer, flat-screen TV, Cell Phone, etc... again, the possibilities are infinite...
- In addition, how about maintaining your "health-kick" for the next year and earning $1,000 Cash, and for the next 5 years $10,000 Cash as well as be in the running to win $100,000 or maybe even $1 Million Cash ? Yes, you guessed it, again, the possibilities continue to be - infinite...
And, how can we convince the BC Government (via TransLink) to give us these goodies ? Very simple, they have the numbers (the projections)... they know that if nothing is done to improve peoples health and keep them from getting sick, that we are on course for a healthcare disaster in which care will not be able to be provided to those in need... due to escalating healthcare costs... currently at about 50% of the Provincial Budget (and climbing)...
A Gram of Prevention is Worth a Kilogram of Cure
A "Wellness-Hub" would not cost much... just a small percentage of (scientifically-proven) projected future savings is all we need in order to do this... If it can work for big companies in the US, why not here ? The amount of money required for this program is - tiny - compared to what is currently being spent on healthcare. A dollar spent on prevention can yield many dollars in cost savings by having people not get sick in the first place. Not only that, but in my proposal I am advocating government only pay for - scientifically-proven - (evidence-based) results, and that start-up costs come from the private sector and users (as well as possibly from some charities)... eliminating all cost risk to government.
And, while we are at it, how about other - behaviors - like encouraging people to behave themselves, help others and do good deeds... wouldn't that be nice ? In other words keeping people out of Jails - as well as out of Hospitals... as wellness is not just about the physical... it is also about the emotional, psychological... and mental health...
I am inspired by the Provincial Governments support of INSITE and other harm reduction and health problem prevention programs such as the free smoking cessation therapy recently announced by Premier Christy Clark. But, this is only the beginning, (I believe) much more can be done...
I need your support to help make this happen - do you Believe ?
Thanks,
