We are currently paying over $1.5 trillion for health care in the United States and that is expected to rise to $3 trillion by the end of the decade. This is largely due to the costs of drugs and surgery and a reliance on a medical system that does not treat the cause of disease. How can we possibly be competitive globally as a nation when GM, the largest car manufacturer, pays nearly $2,000 on EVERY car for health care and retirement benefits for their employees?

The system is crumbling before our eyes. Earlier this month my garbage was not collected for TWO weeks after trash haulers went on strike to prevent health insurance cost increases. Believe me folks, this will hit you soon and hit you hard if it hasn't hit you already. Our country simply cannot afford this nightmare mess and gets nothing--except lining the pockets of pharmaceutical companies--in return. Paying all this money would be much easier to swallow if we received glowing health in return, but, as you know, that isn't the case. The United States barely ranks in the top 20 healthiest nations.

This issue is receiving press again as this year's average premium increase of nearly 14 percent was the third in a row of double-digit increases--and more than six times the rate of inflation. Fortunately, you can avoid all of this by taking responsibility for your own health. If you’re wondering how to do this, my nutrition plan would be a great place to start.

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If You’ve Been to the Doctor Lately, Chances Are You’ve Received Mediocre Health Care--at Best