Much has been written recently about the direction of health care in this country. We are subjected to numerous opinions on single payer versus current commercial insurance choices, the support or rejection of Obamacare, the profits of pharmaceutical companies and the salaries of hospital administrators among them. Lost in the conversation is personal responsibility.

There are so many lost opportunities for the individual to control the cost of health care on a daily basis.

When a patient does not pay the copay required at time of visit, costs are added for postage on subsequent bills, and if payment isn’t made that lost revenue must be made up by others. When a person fails to show for a scheduled appointment, he leaves a hole that might not be filled if not known in advance.

A person’s decision to use tobacco products, drink alcohol in excess or participate in illegal drugs all have consequences on a person’s health. Driving a car to the corner store instead of a short brisk walk also affects a person’s health and that of others.

When we are young, we choose not to take health care insurance plan offered through an employer due to the cost, but that makes it more expensive for other workers in the same plan. Avoiding routine physicals or diagnostic tests can have serious consequences later.

So while many factors affect the cost of health care, the first line of defense should be personal responsibility.

Robert Reed, Lewiston