Healthcare, etc

There is a state hospital in Warren,and I sometimes pass groups of patients as they are chaperoned along the bike path on their daily walk. They display varying degrees of infirmity, both physical and mental, and show dispositions that range from exuberant to withdrawn. Most of them return my greetings or initiate their own with a spontaneity that shames me sometimes, for I am often distracted by my inner thoughts and see that so-called "normal" people are lost in music players and cell phones and other self absorptions. On the whole the patients display a connection to the present moment that is admirable to me. Perhaps my initial feelings of sympathy are unwarranted,yet whenever I witness people less fortunate than myself I invariably gives thanks for my blessings and apologize to my angels for whatever insolence I have shown over the years.
Modern medicine has enabled society to prolong the lives of people who might otherwise have died, and with all good intentions we have created a system in which illness and death have become enemies to be avoided at any cost. As the nation shifts its expectations toward government sponsored healthcare, I hope that our discussions include self responsibility and financial limitations to those people who show no accountability for their own bodies. Should obligatory compassion and monies be directed towards persons who do not assume the most rudimentary of personal self care?
I do not propose to have the answers, but will resent the imposition of government regulations that Force me to buy insurance to sustain a bloated healthcare system that indulges poor habits. Because I personally do not fear illness and death as many in this society seem to do, I perceive no honor in artificially extending life beyond what is dignified. Einstein once said, "It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly." No doubt he would be at odds with the pharmaceutically addicted majority, yet were waste and fraud to be controlled-and were people to assume personal responsibility- there would be plenty of money for affordable medicine. It seems to me that the crisis is not so dire as is the mismanagement and the pervasive sense of entitlement that afflicts both rich and poor... Meanwhile a half billion worldwide are dying of malnutrition as we demand heart transplants.
So I guess the caretakers out for a walk in the park with their patients have it right: Do what you can in your own space and take care of the people around you