Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “health care” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Preventive care Vs treatment” and its relation with the national Health care expenditures. The research also analyzes many aspects of “reasons of increased health care costs” and tries to identify the actions that can reduce the health care expenditures. Finally, the research will conclude the importance of both preventive care and treatment in a balanced health care system.

Does Preventive Care Save Money? Health Economics and the Presidential Candidate

Introduction

This research will focus on article, “Does Preventive Care Save Money? Health Economics and the Presidential Candidate”, written by Joshua T. Cohen, Peter J. Neumann and Milton C. Weinstein. The article was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2008. This research will also include supporting articles and sources regarding the implementation and usefulness of preventive care. Apart from this, the research will also explore the causes of the increased health care expenditures and the actions that can reduce the overall health care expenditure.

Background of Study

Prevention is always better than cure. It has been observed that whether it is an individual's health matter or the aspect of the entire governmental sector, helath care costs are higher as compared to the costing of preventive measures in the country. It is estimated that preventive measures in the state hold positive implications for the nation in terms of decreasing its future costs of medications and treatment. Hence, this study is important to emphasize about the crucial nature of preventive care measures in the wellness and well-being of any nation.

Thesis Statement

Primary and preventive care greatly reduces future health care costs, as well as increasing the patient's health.

Main Points of The Article

This article focuses of spending money for preventive care. The author says that, according to Barack Obama, only a small amount of money is spent on prevention and public health. However, the focus should be on wellness and not illness. According to several researches, preventive care reduces the overall healthcare cost and increases the health of the patients. It reduces the pain and suffering of patients suffering from chronic and other life threatening diseases. Therefore, it is right to say that prevention is better than cure.

Preventive Care

Preventive measures directly reduce the chances of diseases. For instance, smoking, alcohol, imbalances diet and unhealthy environment have resulted in the death of around 900,000 people each year in United States. Therefore, patients and the government will directly benefit from preventive care. One important form of preventive care is the use of vaccination and adult counseling programmes. Vaccination is a low-cost strategy to reduce the overall health care cost.

Expenditures of Preventive Care

However, preventive care increases the health care cost in the short run. The main reason behind this is that fact intensive screening and regular check up, on one hand, reduces the chances if health diseases in the future, but, on the other hand, increases the short term expenditures, at present. Therefore, government ...