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January 24, 2007
A Chronic Achievement
by Peter Pitts
President Bush's State of the Union discussion of tax credits for health insurance should remind us all that the goal of health care shouldn't be, exclusively, to deal with acute medical problems -- but rather to provide patients with both the opportunity and the incentive to pursue care for chronic conditions (such as hypertension). Because, even with all of the advances in hospital care, it's still a much better deal -- both financially and personally -- to address a condition (such as hypertension) before it results in an acute, life-threatening event.
It's the same logic that propels Part D. Keep seniors healthy by providing low-cost access to the medicines they need and they (1) will be healthier, more productive citizens, and (2) will not need far more costly health care interventions (i.e., hospital procedures).
Eureka -- it works. Part D has propelled millions of seniors, for the first time, to seek out and receive appropriate treatment for their chronic conditions (such as hypertension).
And that's a success that demands greater attention. It's a success that goes a long way to improving the State of the Union.
Posted by Peter Pitts at January 24, 2007 08:26 AM
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