The pursuit of health and capitalism

It’s January, and everyone is obsessed with health… and fitness… really, weight loss. We all want to be thin, but we say it’s about health and fitness. And health gurus are in full force, hocking every product, platform and plan you can think of. I can’t go to YouTube or Facebook without being bombarded by these ads.

I developed chronic pain several years ago. Initially, it was thought to be RA, then lupus, then advanced arthritis, and eventually, it was mentioned that perhaps I’m perimenopausal. I have none of these. I’ve been to doctor after doctor, had test after test, and as of yet, my progressing symptoms have no medical explanation. This has sent me down the rabbit-hole, seeking treatments and relief.

The other day, sitting in my inbox was an email promising not just relief, but actual regression in neuropathy and chronic pain symptoms. I knew better, but figured, what the hell?

A bioengineer claimed to have found a natural remedy to cure neuropathy and similar pain. His mother was dying of neuropathy, and he had to do something about it.

He begged viewers to watch this short video (FYI, it’s not short at all) that could change their lives. He continues to claim that drug companies and insurance providers don’t want us to know about his discovery and are trying to shut him down, because his treatment will put them out of business. Big Pharma and insurance companies are capitalistic businesses, too busy thinking about raking in coins than actually trying to treat medical conditions. This man is different. He wants to bring his treatment to the masses, to cure neuropathy and chronic pain, and stop drug companies from exploiting people.

I’m not debating the efficacy of this man’s discovery, and I’m definitely not debating his claims that drug companies care more about making money than saving lives. We live in a society driven by capitalism. Of coursepharmaceutical companies are in business to make money and think more about driving revenue than seeking treatments to truly save lives. But in true American fashion, as this man waxes sardonic at these companies only seeing dollars, he offers his life-changing treatment at a mere $225 per month.

Are you fucking kidding me?

I was sort of in, ready to purchase this cocktail of natural remedies until I heard the price. Is $225 per month cheaper than most prescription drugs? Yes, absafuckinglutly. Do many insurance providers refuse to cover very little, or nothing at all, for drugs? You bet. But $225 a month? Don’t lecture about capitalism and the greed of Big Pharma, and then turn around and ask me for $225 per month to cure my ever-growing chronic pain. And this is not a one-and-done treatment; the idea is that you take it the rest of your life to avoid returning symptoms of neuropathy.

How is this any different than the existing system those requiring medical treatment deal with? You want me to pay, out of pocket, don’t forget, $225 every month, for the rest of my life. The. actual. Gall.

For some of us, $225 every month isn’t a huge hit to our finances. But for many, this is the matter of buying groceries for a week or so, or this treatment. It’s glasses for kids, lunch meals for kids, transportation to-and-from work, a utility bill. If you truly cared and weren’t in it for the money, you would lower the cost. Or at least have sliding scales, payment plans, something. Don’t promise a cure then ask for $225 with zero exceptions.

We live in a time when people are working, sometimes two or three jobs and still homeless. We hear how more and more jobs are being created, but wages continue to be low. Insurance is expensive, and those of us lucky enough to have it, are still paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket. Groceries are just out of control. I black out a little each time I buy groceries for my family.

America needs a new plan; even better, a new identity. Capitalism isn’t working. Never really has. It creates has and has nots, and everyone is striving for a dream sold on a lie. But a lie we insist is true and achievable.

The health and fitness industry rakes in billions each year. And we are fooled into thinking we are achieving better health. More people die from being under-weight than overweight, but this tidbit of information is kept behind closed doors. We are told to diet and exercise and take supplements and only eat certain ways, chasing after another unfounded dream, the pursuit of health. But it’s not about health. It’s about creating tiny, white, non-disabled versions of ourselves. And capitalism fuels this industry.

We fool ourselves, thinking this industry actually gives a fuck.

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The pursuit of health and capitalism