"The Great 'Prevention' Myth"

**Epaphras** · 08-23-2009, 01:06 PM

Charles Krauthammer

My local paper ran an opinion piece by Charles Krauthammer out the Washington Post today, and it made me think.

He basically contends that preventative care does not in fact save us money, for the simple reason that proponents don't differentiate between the individual and society at-large. He explains with a hypothetical and a real-world example.

Thoughts?

**adamwagg** · 08-23-2009, 05:36 PM

That's really interesting. It makes sense when you think about it, but I'd want to see more studies and also read some 'experts' who disagree before I'd make up my mind.

But either way, prevention is better cause you save people a lot of pain and suffering.

**Epaphras** · 08-23-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamwagg

But either way, prevention is better cause you save people a lot of pain and suffering.

He does seem in the end of the article to come to that conclusion: yes it's expensive, but it must be done. He's just saying, don't pretend like it will save money, because it won't.

**adamwagg** · 08-24-2009, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epaphras

He does seem in the end of the article to come to that conclusion: yes it's expensive, but it must be done. He's just saying, don't pretend like it will save money, because it won't.

Yeah. At first I was wondering what he thought about it in the article, but he does say that at the end. Its a difficult argument to make though, especially in politics. You say it doesn't save money the other side responds with "Do you want people to die from preventative diseases?'.

Nate · 08-24-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamwagg

Yeah. At first I was wondering what he thought about it in the article, but he does say that at the end. Its a difficult argument to make though, especially in politics. You say it doesn't save money the other side responds with "Do you want people to die from preventative diseases?'.

They would only respond that way if you said "... so we shouldn't focus on it." If you said instead "... so we should budget an adequate amount for it instead of touting it as a cost-saving device," they'd be dumbfounded.

JerryLove · 09-11-2009, 08:03 PM

If everyone were dead, we would have zero healthcare costs.

Other than that: blood pressure medication is cheaper than an ER. Diabetes medication is cheaper than an ER. Measels shots are cheaper than measels outbreaks. The list goes on.