The “prevent” defense

You can either prevent fires from happening … or you can just wait until you get a good blaze working, and handle it from there.

Most people would assume that it is a better strategy to prevent problems from arising in the first place.

However, we have a health care system in our country that is so expensive, so burdensome for many, that they postpone basic preventative tests — and even treatments!!

This study from the Harris Interactive poll (just released by the National Women’s Health Resource Center), found some disturbing results:

• Almost half the women failed to seek medical care in the year before the survey, citing health care costs.
• They reported skimping on doctor visits, recommended medical procedures and medication, both for themselves and for family members.
• Cultural differences emerged, with 58 percent of Hispanic women reporting they skipped health care, compared to 43 percent of white women and 42 percent of black women.

We must have the resources, the smarts, and the political will to devise some form of a Health Care System that does not simply amount to Health Treatment. From every standpoint — from cost containment to the personal impact on the lives of our people — it makes sense to clear every obstacle that preventing disease from happening in the first place.

This is not difficult logic. In fact, it’s just common sense.