naturalia non sunt turpia

I was doing a little research on the IRS website and I discovered an interesting line of reasoning. In particular, I wanted to know what medical expenses are deductible (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf). I found an interesting paragraph, pretty much because it was the paragraph that answered my original question:

Nutritional Supplements

You cannot include in medical expenses the cost of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, "natural medicines," etc. unless they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician. Otherwise, these items are taken to maintain your ordinary good health, and are not for medical care. (p. 16)

It was that last sentence that stuck me as odd. I never thought there was a difference between medical care and the maintenance of good health. However, I looked in the dictionary and the definition of medical care is "professional treatment for illness or injury" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/medical%20care). At least the definition of healthcare makes a passing reference to prevention (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/healthcare).

I have mentioned before that I believe the government encourages or discourages behavior based on whether an activity is taxed or subsidized. That leads me to believe that since the government gives a tax break for medical care, that is treatment for illness or injury, but it does not give a tax break for maintaining good health, the government encourages a break/fix mentality rather than a preventative mentality.

This attitude typifies what is wrong with health care in this nation. Is it any wonder this country is so good at acute health care but is so bad at wellness? 'We'll gladly fix you if you're broken, but don't expect us to keep you from breaking.' To use a car illustration: It would be like discouraging people from getting regular oil changes, which may cost $30 or so; but as soon as the engine explodes everyone is willing to pitch in to help with the thousands of dollars for its replacement. As it stands, this is a great place to be if you happen to have a heart attack, but if you would like to keep from having a heart attack you would be better off elsewhere.