A Message from Our Founder

Christine DeZarn,
Founder PCOSA

As the political scene in the United States is currently entrenched in passionate debate regarding universal healthcare, I have been asked many times for my opinion and/or PCOSA's position on this topic. PCOSA has not taken a position on the specific items within the current proposed legislation, mainly because it is a monumental challenge for any of us to read through the documents and digest their contents, let alone agree upon a position. But I did want to take a moment to make the following comments with regard to PCOSA's long-held principles that are to be used to weigh our position on any health care legislation.

1. The individual is the owner of her (or his) own health care, and must be free to make all decisions regarding her/his care, assuming that the individual is deemed to be mentally competent to do so. Health care professionals are employed by the individual as trusted advisors, to assist in making the best decisions possible, but do not in fact make the decisions.

2. Good nutrition is the fundamental element that underlies all health care. Medical or surgical treatment of conditions arising from poor nutrition must be accompanied by correction of the source of the problem. Treating an illness superficially without removing the cause of the illness is a futile endeavor.

3. Function of the reproductive system, both female and male, is an element of human health that should be cared for with at least equal status to other organ systems within the human body. Reproductive health is not to be dismissed as "non-essential."

Speaking on for myself, and not on behalf of PCOSA, I would like to comment on these principles. First, the preservation of the individual's right to make her (or his) own decisions is paramount. Any plan that eliminates access to viable choices would not be acceptable. However, that being said, health care is a finite resource. There are finite resources to pay for a near infinite number of medical possibilities. While we would like to think that any health plan should cover absolutely everything, that's not possible. When we try to cover everything for everyone, rationing is the result. Rationing cuts off (or at least delays) access. Because access is paramount, we are going to have to compromise in order to preserve it.

With regard to the second principle, I would like to point out that the U.S. Government heavily subsidizes the raw materials for production of products such as high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils that contribute to our societal illness. These products promote obesity, overburden our endocrine function, and distress our cardiovascular systems. Before spending money on treating everyone in our society for their illnesses that are primarily caused by these foods, I would propose that the government stop funding the source of the problem. Perhaps if they diverted the millions, perhaps trillions of dollars that are going to pay for these illness-producing so-called "foods" into productive pursuits, we wouldn't be so ill to begin with and the baseline cost of health care would begin to fall. So not only would the funds be freed up to pay for needed health care, but a primary cause of much illness would go away. That wouldn't solve all of our problems, but it would address a big chunk of them.

With regard to the third principle, much of the treatment for women's reproductive health has historically been considered "elective." While cancer and other disease states of reproductive organs are certainly covered, the actual reproductive function is typically not. Any time an attempt is made to correct reproductive dysfunction itself, insurance companies immediately deny any related claims. Even the appearance of reproductive treatment (i.e. the word "ovary" in the name of a medical condition) sometimes results in a blind refusal to consider the condition worthy of coverage. Any medical coverage that ignores the importance of the reproductive systems as being worthy of treatment is simply not acceptable.

The upcoming weeks and months may or may not result in the launch of universal health care coverage in the United States, however that may be defined. But the fact is, we are still responsible for our own health care, no matter what does or does not happen. And frankly, many women with full health coverage today still don't receive effective treatment for PCOS due to lack of access (lack of knowledgeable doctors in their area). Regardless of what happens, PCOSA will continue to educate and inform patients and doctors so that patients can make the best medical and lifestyle decisions possible, along with their health care partners.