Healthcare: A Simple Reason For Change
With the relentless focus on the elections on Tuesday, the debate over healthcare took a back seat. But, the need to reform it is as central to the long-term economic viability of the United States as ever. The interesting statistics reported by Heather Loeb of Men's Health Magazine in the October 2009 edition should really lead some of the sceptics to think twice:
1) For Colon Cancer, the preventive strategy is to have a colonoscopy. The preventive cost is estimated to be $ 1300 for one procedure. But, if one is stricken with Colon Cancer, the treatment cost is estimated tob e $ 14,451 per year.
2) For Lung cancer, the recommended preventive strategy is to basically stop smoking through a nictoine patch. This will cost $ 300. Now, if someone has to be treated for this cancer, it will cost $ 20,833 per year.
3) For Heart Disease, the recommended preventive strategy is simple: Exercise. Ms. Loeb notes that a gym membership costs about $ 402/year (average). But, treating it costs $ 4215/year.
4) For Diabtes, the key is nutritional counseling. It costs between $ 50-$200 per session. But, the treatment costs $ 2414/year.
5) Skin Cancer's prevention is also quite simple: wearing sun screen. Spending $ 11/bottle will prevent spending $ 665 for a simple visit.
Source: Really Long Link retrieved November 4, 2009.
The treatment costs is an average cost. So, it is simple common sense to create programs that encourages such behavior and insures that the subsequent costs are avoided. But, to ask Insurance Companies for a leap of faith which is quite a challenge in light of all that they have done to thwart health reform. This also includes all their apologists in Congress--including the entire Republican members along with Senators Lieberman, Landreax, Linclon, Bayh & Nelson.
1) For Colon Cancer, the preventive strategy is to have a colonoscopy. The preventive cost is estimated to be $ 1300 for one procedure. But, if one is stricken with Colon Cancer, the treatment cost is estimated tob e $ 14,451 per year.
2) For Lung cancer, the recommended preventive strategy is to basically stop smoking through a nictoine patch. This will cost $ 300. Now, if someone has to be treated for this cancer, it will cost $ 20,833 per year.
3) For Heart Disease, the recommended preventive strategy is simple: Exercise. Ms. Loeb notes that a gym membership costs about $ 402/year (average). But, treating it costs $ 4215/year.
4) For Diabtes, the key is nutritional counseling. It costs between $ 50-$200 per session. But, the treatment costs $ 2414/year.
5) Skin Cancer's prevention is also quite simple: wearing sun screen. Spending $ 11/bottle will prevent spending $ 665 for a simple visit.
Source: Really Long Link retrieved November 4, 2009.
The treatment costs is an average cost. So, it is simple common sense to create programs that encourages such behavior and insures that the subsequent costs are avoided. But, to ask Insurance Companies for a leap of faith which is quite a challenge in light of all that they have done to thwart health reform. This also includes all their apologists in Congress--including the entire Republican members along with Senators Lieberman, Landreax, Linclon, Bayh & Nelson.
Mike Pouraryan
