The somewhat libertarian view on healthcare. We are all for greater personal accountability but this has to be throughout society.
Governments have to be accountable for not subsidizing unhealthy lifestyles (e.g., corn syrup and sugar), companies have to be accountable for pushing unhealthy choices (e.g., tobacco, soft drinks), farmers have to be accountable for more healthy and humane production practices, drug companies have to be accountable for marketing that encourages excessive drug use, doctors have to be accountable for not over prescribing tests and drugs, and we as individuals have to be accountable for lifestyle choices and behaviours. Government regulation and taxation policies have a role in nudging players in this direction.
The right to ‘make stupid decisions’ is not unlimited, when such decisions have externalities that affect others and society as a whole. There is a balance between laisser faire and the nanny state; defining and debating the appropriate balance is the challenge.
