Medicare Urged to Cover Preventive Health Services

Reuters Health ^ | April 29, 2003 | Karen Pallarito

[weekendwarrior]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&ncid=751&e=10&u=/nm/20030429/hl_nm/medicare_preventive_dc

Medicare Urged to Cover Preventive Health Services

By Karen Pallarito

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - To improve the health of older and disabled Americans, Medicare should cover services that prevent disease, such as cholesterol, vision and hearing screenings, instead of focusing almost exclusively on treating people once they get sick, according to a report released Tuesday by the Partnership for Prevention.

While Medicare decides whether to pay for certain treatments for beneficiaries who are ill, it takes an act of Congress to add coverage for services that may prevent illness in the first place.

"Congress doesn't and can't act instantaneously ... Therefore, Medicare is perpetually behind the curve," said John Clymer, the Partnership's president.

The report recommends that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services be given the same decision-making authority for prevention that it has for treatment.

It also urges Medicare to follow the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an advisory panel convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (news - web sites) that reviews the latest scientific evidence for and against preventive services.

[weekendwarrior]

A good read. Take a look.

[vpintheak]

Sorry but I am not for medi-care or social security. The enactment of these 2 items was one of the greatest crimes committed against the American people. I do not expect it to be around when I reach retirement (I'm 30), and am investing so I don't have to try to depend on the miniscule amount that might be there when I reach that age. Sorry if this offends anyone, but I really hate taking other peoples money. Kind of like stealing.

[stylin19a]

A lot of people agree with you. The problem is there is no good alternative right now. Killing Medicare/SS makes the IOU's immediately due and payable and they can't be paid.

Preventative care can result in early detection which could minimize costs in the long run. (notice i said COULD).

When i was 30, I didn't think it would be around either. Now that I'm older.....I WANT MY SHARE !!!!