Free Preventive Care Included in New Health Care Reform but Will It Matter?

Free Preventive Care Included in New Health Care Reform but Will It Matter?

            In the past week, I have been asked about my opinion of the health care bill dozens of times.  I am going to cover the subject later in the newsletter but the language concerning “free preventive health care” really caught my attention.  The new healthcare reform bill states that preventive care will now be covered at no cost to the consumer.  My initial thought was how great it would be to change the paradigm of how people treat their own health.   There is no questioning an “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
           Getting yearly physicals, self examinations and proper screenings are preventive measures that have proved beneficial. However, addressing small health issues before they become more serious conditions is also important.  Further, properly addressing acute conditions before they become chronic can save agony and frustration “down the road”. I see this every day in the office.    Slight discomfort turns into pain.   Occasional pain that becomes chronic.  By the time my patients step into the office, they have waited too long. 
          Pain and discomfort have already disturbed their sleep or prevented them from doing things that they love.   Most people wait until the pain gets unbearable or their pain medications stop working. Most chronic conditions can be avoided.  This is the purpose of our “Stress Free Days” at schools and businesses but it is still difficult to get people to understand that it takes such little effort to prevent these conditions.  
          I hope that the “free preventive care  for everyone” in the new reform legislation helps people to be more proactive with their health but the truth is that people are more concerned about the maintenance of their cars than their bodies.   If only there were drive-thru doctor’s office.