An Once of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Our family uses preventive services on a regular basis because we feel it is important for a quality of life that keeps us as healthy as possible. We both have worked fulltime for over 40 years to keep insurance and be able to take care of the healthcare needs of ourselves and our four children. By prioritizing our spending to include health insurance instead of a new car every few years, fancy clothes or a house that was over our budget, we have never been without insurance and without saving for a "rainy day." At 65 after yearly mammograms for 25 years, breast cancer was discovered in its early stages with no lymph node involvement. My prognosis is excellent. Life is precious. We raised our children to adulthood and hopefully, we will be around to enjoy the grandchildren as well.

I've been divorced for 15 yrs.now & raised two sons, both college graduates(I paid cash for it all). I received NOTHING from the divorce - No Spousal Support & He Never Paid his Court Mandated Child Support(even though he was the Vice President of the world's largest toy company). Now that I'm a Senior I have nothing left but the love of my wonderful sons. Yes, I work; I work 7 days a week and barley make ends meet. I do not have $800.00 a month for Health Insurance. I have not seen a doctor for more than 12 years now, and I pray that I do not get sick in any way because if I do, I'll be living on the street & treatment is a mere dream. My sons, college graduates work extremely hard & are making ends meet, but they cannot put me on their company health plans. So, Now tell me what should I do? I am self employeed (realtor & mortgage broker) but with the economic situation in this country, I have not had a pay check for 6 months. I am happy I can feed myself, my dog & cat. To see a Doctor (which I know I really need to) is a luxury that union employees have & a few others. Health Ins. is not for the self employeed or middle class.

Projecting "Wellness" begins with thinking "positive". The Medical profession has never been trained for prevention, only for repair and/or Rx.

So sad that all those years of training are replaced by the "Silver Bullet" mentality that the Drug Companies project so well. You know... Act Foolishly, Ignore the needs of your body, and Just Take A "Magic Pill" to make it all go asay.

Just look at the drug company commercials on TV. People get brainwashed into thinking that the cure for everything comes from the drug companies in little bottles with high prices.

Common Sense is much less expensive, and does not have all those negative side-effects.
So Sad...

A Doctor Is A Person In Who's Presence Someone Gets Well! So if you are feeling sick, hang around some Doctors. Go play a round of Golf on Wednesday (Doctors Day Off).

Wellness Is A Plan. Start Now.

Eating healthy would be wonderful, if you could afford it. Food costs are so high that it is almost impossible to do so, especially here in Hawaii, where veggies and fruits are out of sight, also cereal, milk, bread, etc.
For people on welfare, they are lucky is they can eat anything, but rice!

Another major part of preventive medicine is eating the right foods, taking the right supliments and excercising the body on a regular basis. I know that by staying to this regiem, I felt much better as I got older even and I rarely get sick. I think that if more people watch what they eat such as staying on a low glycemic diet, take the proper supliments and excercising even mildly on a daily basis, the overall price of healthcare would drop dramatically.

I am so encouraged to see this topic come up.
I agree wholeheartedly, and I believe that when our country looks at health care reform, this is the reform that needs to take place. Our system is backwards and is supporting a giant medical business that is not keeping prevention first. If it did, it might not be quite so big, would it?
In answer to your question, yes we do the screenings.

Preventive health care is just too expensive when insurance deductible is $2500. For this coverage, we pay $1200/mo. for 2 adults age 58 and 60. While both my sisters have osteoporosis, I haven't had a screening in 8 years because of the expense and even then, I probably couldn't afford the drugs. What to do when you are in the "gap"--old enough that insurance is very expensive or just plain unavailable but too young for Medicare. Lost my job of 37 years 4 years ago and got "retiree" insurance with expensive premiums and high deductibles in a "negotiation" with my former employer. Neither my husband nor I have been to a doctor in the past 3 years for any reason, yet this self-insured employer collects $1200 mo. from us. What's wrong with this pic?

IF I DIDN'T HAVE HEALTH CARE I WOULD HAVE HAD CANCER. THANKS TO EARLY DETECTION I DON'T HAVE CANCER. BUT I LIVED WITHOUT HEALTH CARE FOR 20 YEARS. I, DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY AND I HAD A FAMILY TO TAKE CARE OF. I STILL DON'T HAVE MONEY, BUT I DO HAVE HEALTH CARE THANKS TO ADULT BASIC. I REALLY ENCOURAGE ALL TO APPLY IT IS WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD!!

To help lower your Chlorestorel(whatever) use cayen pepper in your food. Recommended heat 90,000.

Take cod liver oil it increases blood flow and eats up bad chlorestorol (whatever)

Go to kalyx.com

You will find everything to lead a good life.

Your welcome

I came across this site by accident

The tragic story does not come from a well informed senior citizen. It does not have to be a doctor. There are many sponsored places that give mammograms and do other health screening. Let her call her Board of Health or the Medical Society to inquire. Also suggest the department of Senior Citizen Affairs. Try a Nurse Practitoner practice or is the husband a veteran?

Worked for private practice physicians ALL my adult life. Strongly believe inpreventative medicine. Unfortunately, live in Florida now.
Have been misdiagnosed via 7hrs in ER! Had to call NY to get referred to a "real MD" In 20mins correct dg made. Most MD's rely on their staff & do NOT listen or take medical histories of their patients nor recommend precautionary testings. I have had to ASK for
certain procedures (colonoscopy, CT scan of breasts, etc.) to point of begging the medical facility. Also, if you do NOT take medicines the medical professional insist on writing Rx's & actually get angry with you if you say: "but I don't have any disease/disorder that needs a Rx" In north of Mason Dixon Line we always had Annual Physicals. Here a simple urine or CBC is not even suggested for years! In Florida I have seen many "wrongly diagnosed" people including
myself. From simple eye examination (told I had 2 severe diseases & did not! to "go see a
surgeon" when at ER for an entire day with
chronic abdominal pain). No Medical Society to
check on physician's educational background it seems. And their receptionist do not even
have knowledge of medical vernacular in many cases! Seems in this State many "bury their
mistakes". There ARE exceptions, but these physicians are so outstanding that middle-class canNOT afford the Office Visits.
In ten years I have met only one physician who was not Rx prescription-writing "happy" !
Yet on a mammogram that showed a "suspicious"
shadow, it took some 8 mos. to have an order for further investigating -- family history
on one parent is ALL cancer.
I would l o v e to speak to anyone from a major City who intends on moving into Florida
to consider the lack of medical care. The buildings themselves are brand-new & beautiful but who wants brass, marble & free
coffee in Waiting Rooms when the medical staff
are laxed?

The health care system in america is really sad, to say the least.
We have been getting regular care from our chiropractor for years, and have not seen a "conventional doctor" since we can't remember when.
Recently we have come across a super food called MONA-VIE.
The health results from this little juice in a bottle have been amazing.
We both feel younger and more alive than almost anybody in our age group. If you are interested you can go to

www.mymonavie.com/jeffhodges

and check it out for your self.
Here's to your health.

I have had a yearly mammogram since I was in my early 40s. My husband has had regular prostate screenings for a number of years. Last year he was found to have prostate cancer. Surgery took care of the problem and all tests indicate he is now cancer free. Medicare and AARP covered all the expenses. We see our primary physicians every six months.

I have always believed in preventive care. I have a doctor now that does also believe. He has done test to check my heart (for example) & then put me on vit. that will help with the maitance of the heart. I am 591/2 so it may be a little late buI am giving it a try. It is sad that the insurance companies will not pay for test for preventive care. They say it is not necessary and they are expensive. But it shows the diffenert levels of the blood, protens etc which help to let you know what you need to do. I am not very medicaly smart but I know my body & what it needs. I am glad people are starting to acknowlege prevention. I have a mammogram once a year & had a pap smear each year but I am do for one now. I think alot of women do not have the test because they are embarassed or like my aunts. Because cancer was not in the family until recently. Now they are thinking of getting checked. Just like they believed 1 or 2 glasses of fluids is enough. We did get into an testy decussion. They thought I am nuts for drinking 8 or more glasses of fluids water, flavored water, green tea etc. I am now a health program with my husbands insurance co. I have started out setting a goal of walking 15 mins two times a week. I am not a walker but I have started & did one day a week this week. I hope I can get my mind to agree to what I want. Depression sometimes has something to say & it is soooo hard to argue with it. I hope this makes sense to you. Thank you for the article. It makes me feel that I am not the only one who thinks this way. Have a good day. Marilyn Kiger

In the article it is stated that men over 50 with medicare: i personally will not be elligible until 65.It would be great to know if you have something and be able to have it taken care of early;unfortunately,if you own a home, you will probably have to sell it to pay the bills.
I don't look forward to being healthy, and being homeless.

Thank you for taking the time and effort to write this important article. If it weren't for preventive care perhaps I wouldn't be here at my computer writing this note right now. I'm a breast cancer survivor now four years. My last mamogram (November 1, 2003) indicated cancer in the very early stages. It had only been 12 months since the prior screening. I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction and am in good health now. I would have never known that I had cancer had I not been proactive about preventive care. By the time symptoms appear it is most likely too late and cancer spreads throughout the body making it too late for the person to regain any quality of health. One of my friend was diagnosed around the same time that I was diagnosed. She died this past November leaving her husband and two children. Health insurance is a financial crisis in our country but it's a must to have. My husband and I run our own samll business. We have to purchase our health insurance each month and the costs are outragous and with the added pre-existing condition of breast cancer........well......you can just imagine !! Going without health insurance just isn't an option for us.

I think our nation treats its elderly terribly. My father is a diabetic, and his medicare would not pay for his testing supplies or his accucheck machine years ago when he was dianosed, back in the 1990's. Now he more recently , 2 years ago was in an accident and hit by a van as a pedestrian, had brain damage, a craniotomy, and had to be put in a nursing home. He could still walk and feed himself afterwards, but due to the government refusing to pay for therapy through his medicare and medicaid, he now is wheelchair bound and has lost use of his left arm and can no longer feed himself due to lack of PT. I am afraid to get old in this country, especially if I end up on Medicaid.

People also don't know about the programs available, or that they are eligible. If one has been raised in a family who does not take advantage of social service programs, one doesn't know to access them.

As an RN, I know the dismal state of health Americans are in generally. I believe the focus of the health care system is awry. We do not focus on prevention at all. We accept poor substitiutes for nutrition, lifestyle that does not promote exercise as an integral part of daily life, and dependence on medications, vaccines and tests instead of listening to our bodies. We also do not fully acknowledge the connection between stressful lifestyle and disease. I would have to say I would turn our health care system completely around if I were a policy maker.

I have not had a mammogram for 6 years because the doctors kept saying they could not see the lump in my breast and I saw no reason for continueing to have the radiation pumped into my body. Now I have had to have a mastectomy along with the lympnodes removed. I cannot afford to take the poison of chemotherapy or more radiation because it would kill me instead of curing me. I will be going with alternative medicine. I think some things like mammograms and screenings are over rated and should not be used. I am not pleased with the doctors who just want to cut without giveing the patient more information. Right now because of the swelling in my right arm where the surgery was done, I am having a hard time using it. I think doctors if they are going to go with preventive medicine should make sure their patients have the proper amount of good vitamins and minerals like what I take from a company called New Vision that is here in the USA.

I feel that there needs to be more information given to people about how their diet can in fact play a part in preventative care.

More people need to be eating the required number of fruits and vegetables. More needs to be known about some of the fruits formerly not available in the United States like the acai berry.

We need to know more about "super foods" and the roll they can play in our health.

The article states that a woman age 40 on Medicare can get free Mammogram and a man over 50 can get free Prostate test.
I thought you had to be 65 to get on Medicare.
Is the article correct about the age 40 and 50 on Medicare?

I strongly believe in preventative medicine and when I carried insurance had regular exams and tests (and many surgeries). I am now 61 years old without ANY income and do not qualify for medicaid because I have a $20,000 life insurance policy. I do not qualify for medicare because I am not 65. Due pre-existing conditions insurance is too expensive for me. I really have NO income. I have taken advantage of social service programs to get the medications I need to survive (coumadin for clots), darvacet (for pain from arthritis and several surgeries),Fosamax, and extra iron. I have to have monthly blood tests due to the blood thinner (and I often wait 6 weeks for the tests). I think I have turned over every leaf I can find for help. I have been able to help others but there does not seem to be any out there for me. I 'll see the doc when I HAVE to and forget about ever seeing the dentist. If anyone has more suggestions I will gladly check them out. Thank you for allowing me to vent.

Firstly, its "prostate" not prostrate.

Second, it would have been nice if, in the article, the writer mentioned the various new state medicare and medicaid health care plans available. And also, things people can do to prevent health problems such as proper diet and exercise.

Like many Americans health care is an issue. I am covered by Medicare and Medicaid only because of being on disablity. My husband has ABSOLUTLY NO insurance. I live in fear of him getting sick.

I believe good preventive medicine, is healthcare which comes from seeing faithfully, a doctor and gaining from his expertise, atleast annually, and, should be free.

Many problems would be discovered and taken care of- early in the diagnosis.

Saves alot of castostophic expenses, later on, when it is too late.

I am 62 and have used prevention services regularly. It seems to be all I use doctors for. I eat well, although I have trouble cutting back like I know I should so I am overweight but I have been weight training for the past 30 years. Now I have a new job that keeps me running and I don't have time for the routine I used to use. I do my yoga on the weekends. I work in nursing homes and the hospital and the side effects I see from all the medications people are on create many problems. Routines at the hospital and SNF have patients taking meds without food and many throw them up. It is not a good system. If you don't take care of yourself, you will be in trouble.

This year we signed for a health care plan that pays for preventive services and saves us about $300 a month in insurance premiums. We have put the money we would have spent on insurance in savings to cover the higher deductible in case we need other care. It does make you get the screenings needed. Also, makes one take a more active interest in health issues. It has worked for us which we are very gateful.

18 months ago, with an ejection fraction of 21%, I chose the alternative treatment route of eating a strict fat free, vegetarian dietary regimine from Dr Caldwell Esselstyn instead of opting to have cardiac catheterization and coronary bypass.

Medicare would gladly have paid the hundreds of thousands of dollars for the surgery and the follow up care had I chosen that route.....but refused to pay anything for physical cardiac rehab or dietary counselling!

My choice of treatment cost the government not one dime. All I asked of them was to help me pay for the cost of physical rehabilitation......I was in poor physical shape as a result of the poor heart functioning......and terrified of exercising alone. I am on social security only and could use the help with the costs!

It makes no sense that the government will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for surgery but not three or four hundred dollars for a YMCA membership to swim and exercise under supervision.

Why are they so stupid?
Bev Upchurch
annieup@cox.net

I believe in preventative health care 100%. However, when I went for my five year colonoscopy my insurance company, John Alden, would not pay for the service. It applied it toward my deductible. Let's change the health insurance mind set when it comes to preventative health care and reward those that are taking good care of themselves with yearly physicals. These should be 100% paid less any co-pay. I do believe treating colon cancer is more expensive than a five year screening.

My wife and I wholeheartedly support preventive care in matters of health.

For several years now, we have been involved in making choices to prevent disease as opposed to treating illness. In fact, for the past four years we have been using science-based supplements to maintain good health.

So - I guess I missed something in this article???

I am 59, a single woman, and I can not find employment (I am almost certain it is age discrimination). I have a temporary healthcare (1 year for between jobs) but it has a $10k deductible, and won't cover anything that might be related to a preexisting condition (I am hearing that they always try to prove that anything you get is tied to something else you had at some point in your life) thank goodness I have good health??? at this point. After a few more months, I won't have any insurance - not old enough for medicare - and if I could get it it would be so expensive that I couldn't afford it anyway.

So - where and how can I get preventative care at an affordable rate? and what DO I DO if and when I have something wrong?

It's nice to air these problems, but what is really happening in the way of options??

PS - I have worked hard all my life and have raised 3 very succesful children at the expense of my own old age security. I am not a do-nothing loser wanting something for nothing, and I have never smoked. I also exercize and volunteer to help others.

I simply want a job to support myself (I am very qualififed for many things) and reasonable medical insurance to be able to proactively take care of myself without fear. I am living in fear now - and frankly wondering what purpose I serve even living.

Mammograms, Pap smears, and prostate exams are not preventive medicine; they are early diagnosis medicine. Preventive medicine includes immunizations and lifestyle choices, like exercising, eating a good diet, not smoking, wearing a seatbelt, moderate use of alcohol, etc. The best preventive medicine is outside of a doctor's office; it is within ourselves.

I've just turned 51 years old and look 30. I am a grandmother of 5; African-Carribean-British nationality and female. However, I was scared to have the blood tests, mammogram and Xrays that my doctor requested. After many cancelled appointments, I humbled myself and went through the various tests.

The mamogram scared me. The doctor's office called me back to take tests and an additional mammogram before I was cleared of cancer.

My blood test results revealed that I was anemic and deficient in Iron and B12. So, I started taking my vitamins and eating more carrots, brocolli and spinach. I love vegetables anyway. I am not diabetic; I don't have high blood pressure; and I don't have high cholesterol. My MRI was "unremarkable".

I now believe in a body tuneup. Maintenance will keep my "old" body going for a little bit longer.

I use body lotions to enhance my skin; eat to feel healthy and strong. Exercise and stretches to keep me limber.

Get a tune up!You may only need an oil change,

All the best!

UDI - universal disease insurance. "frequent flyers" who eat up 43% of the health care dollars are generally overweight and or smokers, alcoholics and probably don't read AARP.

All the politicians who propose various ways of solving "disease care" do not acknowledge the above, how we got into this mess (politicians, the AMA drug companies, processed food etc. )or that perhaps other developed countries do a better job than we do encouraging their citizens to be healthy.

Now, wouldn't it be something if just one politician (I believe one did once), told the "real" story and proposed a way out of this mess. That would be NDI but with at least 43% of the premiums coming from the stuff that "frequent flyers" eat, smoke and drink. Hey, we all consume some bad stuff but if we paid 50% of our premium this way, think of the outcomes.

Yes, my husband and I use preventitive screening in the form of mamograms and prostate screening. This Jan. it proved itself when a ductile carcinoma was discovered, something that a self exam would never had caught. Even a Dr. exam didn't discover it. I have a great respect for these tests. It caught my cancer early and my prognosis is great for the future. My husbands BPH is under excellent control because of a regular exam and blood test every year. His Dr. is thrilled with the results. We also take a good multiple vitamin and antioxidents every day as well as eat a health diet with lots of fiber, fruit and vegetables. We are rarely sick as a result.

My wife and I believe very strongly in preventive care. She gets a mammogram annually, and I get regular PSA tests. It is a good feeling to stay abreast of our health conditions, and be aware of any changes early on. You stated medicare allows annual mammograms after 40+, and PSA after 50+. I thought you must be 65 to utilize medicare?

Since my company closed(Mi) I took a 75% cut in pay. I'm barely surving. What's to prevent?I have no money, no insurance,and no hope. If i get sick I cannot afford to stay alive so I have to give in to whatever illness and hope its quick and not horribly painful.

I do get regular check-ups, such as mammograms, pap test, blood work, colonoscopy, bone density, etc. I am a single 54 year old female; I pay for my health care insurance, $320/month with a $5000 deductible! I think the price is outrageous and I hardly meet me deductible, which is to say I end up paying for all the preventative tests.

I had insurance coverage that cost almost $600 per month; covered my meds with a "discount". When I tried to switch to another company I was rejected due to a diagosis of osteoporosis.

I decided to NOT have preventative checkups for two years so nothing new could be found. I was terrified something else would show up. So I waited until I had new coverage with a cheaper monthly premium.

I finally went for a check up, mammo, and DEXA scan, and guess what?? They DID find another problem. Had I gone with the old coverage, the new diagnosis which went untreated for 2 years would have been excluded as is my osteporosis is now.

Something is wrong here. We need HELP!!! I can't wait 3 years for Medicare. I'm worried my new insurance coverage will increase my premiums.

(First of all it is PROSTATE not PROSTRATE!)
We do use preventative care such as mammographies, PSA's and BP/cholesterol checks. If something is caught early, the total expense is usually a lot less, than if you let things get progressively worse. But we are fortunate. My husband and I currently have good health insurance. However, there are many free or reduced health care programs in many states, or programs offered through individual hospitals. People should have some hope.Until the health care coverage dilemma is addressed on a national level, people need to be very assertive in finding their own solutions.

I try to do the PM necessary but when I get a FEW minutes with the doctor, I'm frustrated by results.Repeatedly,I'm told, for example, that I am in grave condition and only immediate surgery will save my life but when I seek a second opinion from a distant medical expert in the field,I'm told I'm in better shape than most of their patients.And so on!! "Don't worry about cost, Medicare will cover it."

I do get all the screenings like BP tests, mammogram annually, colonoscopy etc. In return for this committment, I do not have a big screen TV, an Ipod, a new car or a big house. I do not take big vacations. It is all about priorities, people! When I hear complaints about health care costs and see the person is driving an SUV gas guzzler, and has every toy imaginable, I think we have a different problem. Do not expect the government to fix this while we continue to indulge outselves with collecting things! Carol Smith

I have not had a mammogram or pap test in over 5 years. I lost affordable insurance when the company I worked for for 36 1/2 years was sold and the new owners moved everything overseas. The doctor I used to go to was always after me to get those tests done, and for some reason she could not understand the words, 'I don't have insurance and don't have the money to pay for it out of pocket.'

You people need to be testing for metal toxicity. Every body in your group lived through lead paint and lead in gasoline. Your tap water came through galvinized or copper plumbing. If you had a presure treated out door deck you were exposed to arsenic. Lets not forget about pesticides.

No I also do not get regular check ups because of the fact the they are not paid in full by my isurance co. I can't afford it.
I live pay check to pay check and what ever is left over I need for FOOD or a hair cut or gasoline! It's not the way life be over 50!

My husband and I both have annual checkups and bloodwork. We utilize the health clinics through the Bashas Stores as well as the Lions Club Health Fair. I have private insurance with 2,600 deductible and he has medicare with AARP Supplemental. We have to use every means possible, but we make sure that we get our preventative health care. He is 65, but still hasn't had a colonoscopy. I have family history so have had had mine. Preventative health care is a very important issue to us.

I am so discouraged by our circumstances today. I appreciate the hard work everyone is doing to get our voices heard but who is listning?? I have heard the candidates and am just fearful. I have friends in England that must wait months and in not life threatening instances over a year for necessary surgeries. Is that what we want? Who is strong enough to stand up to the ins. companies and say enough. I am tuning in to the forum tonight on my local PBS for sure.

Our insurance company punishes us for having the screenings. For instance, we recently had a spot on husband checked for skin cancer because we didn't know what it was. Turned out to be nothing, nada. Not even pre-malingnant. Later that year when we tried to switch networks within our same insurance company to up the deductible for a cheaper rate, the insurance informed us that if we did, they would never, for the rest of my husband's life, cover ANYTHING remotely skin related! So go to a screening under an assumed name maybe, or don't let them know who your insurance company is.

I am lucky--for now. I am 60 years old and working for a small company that provides my health insurance coverage for free. But when I am 66-normal retirement age, I plan on finally working only part time. I still have a 21 year old son in college who will lose his health insurance when he turns 23(he will be a Senior in college and no longer eligible under my health insurance plan). I have for the past 18 years, raised two children and assisted with the cost of college. My current fear is that I will not be able to afford health insurance when I begin to work part-time. The US needs affordable health care for everyone--the drug companies need to buy into this concept and stop advertising the philosophy that "a pill can fix everything." Along with affordable health care, we need wellness programs on a community level that children, parents, elders, etc can all participate in.

The best prevention is good nutrition: fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, eggs, milk, soy,
chicken, fish, small amount of red meat, nuts,
seeds. The most basic need of every person is
complete nutrition which includes all the vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids,
and glucose. These are the nutrients essential for life and good health. Without the right amount of each of these sickness ensues. Most people will live longer healthier
taking nutritional supplements, particularly
multivitamins, multiminerals, and essential
fatty acids. The amount needed for each person varies depending upon your genetic makeup and your exposure to toxic chemicals.
The longer you get good nutrition the longer you will live a healthful life. No medicine,
no doctor's examination will replace the value
of complete and adequate nutrition.

I have had prostate screenings for years since I was about 41 (now 63)when my PCP discovered that I had BPH. My father discovered that he had prostate cancer at approx. 75. My chances of getting it are enhanced by the fact that I probably was exposed to Agent Orange in VietNam. I call it a "triple whammy". I believe that these annual screenings may not prevent prostate cancer, but they will allow for early detection. I consider myself fortunate because I have good insurance and the VA health system to fall back on in case I develope a full blown case of prostate cancer.

We do not use preventative services such as mammograms or prostrate screenings because what is the point. We couldn't afford to do anything about it if something was found, so we would prefer not to know and worsen the situation by the stress and worry of not being able to afford the cure, if there even is one.

My wife uses some preventative services, she is 56 and has medical insurance through her employer.

I am a 62 year old Vietnam Veteran, who was forced into retirement in 2001. Due to PTSD I was unable to maintain a full-time job for more than 1 year on average, therefore no retirement or insurance, my only protection is through the Veteran's Administration. I can not afford to see private doctors or get medical attention anywhere but a VA Hospital. The VA does not perform any type of preventative services unless there is a need to do so and they refuse to pay for Emergency Services or Ambulances.

I come across a free mamogram card and thought about. My mother had a mastectomy all those mamograms and doctor visits didn't help her. What if getting your breasts squashed looking for lumps actually caused lumps. Take time, pay attention to your body, you know more about your body than any doctor your with you 24/7. When you do go to the doctor have your questions and concerned written down. Get your moneys worth. Doctors only know how to make a sick person well. So try to stay well. You are what you eat so eat healthy. Pay attention.

I am a 56 year old self-employed single mother. Fortunately I am healthy. I pay for individual coverage that I really can't (but must) afford. Although I get regular screenings, I realize that if anything is ever diagnosed, my premiums will shoot up and may make coverage totally out of my reach. Ironically, I am a licensed insurance agent: my own situation makes me keenly aware of how important it is to have some sort of system for affordable health coverage.

Even though I'm a nurse and do strongly belief in the importance of preventive care, I have not been to a Dr. in years nor have I been able to have any screenings, I do treat myself and get medicine for high BP from Mexico. I live a healthy life and I exercise but at 56 its coming. I have a high cost medical plan that is for diaster care only, I pay for this myself. I work in a hospital...what is wrong with this picture?

We both go yearly for complete physicals and up until this year nothing serious has been detected apart from some arthritis, mild high blood pressure and of course the weight issue. Ed is 67 and Eileen is 62. But this year Ed's doctor detected an irregular heart rhythm. There were no symptoms. We were completely shocked. This atrial fibliration could have caused a stroke. Ed is now on blood thinners, stronger blood pressure medication and we expect to have the heart shocked back into rhythm when the blood pressure drops and stabilizes. Thank God this wonderful doctor found the irregular heart beat. Men in particular tend not to want to know if there are problems. We believe you need to find a doctor you like, be honest with him/her, be responsible for your own health and work with the doctor. Life is precious, enjoy it with the ones you love.

I am 51 years old, and I lost my health insurance six-months after my husband died of cancer. This system we have where health care coverage is died to a job or the existence of a separate person is fraught with situations where people lose coverage through circumstances beyond their control. With a preexisting chronic condition, I am in a very vulnerable spot. I have managed to get group coverage now through my religious denomination and my new status as a full-time seminary student. This costs me $1,700 quarterly out of pocket and it has a yearly $1,000 deductable. This premium amount reflects a 25% discount I am now getting, which will go away in two years when I graduate from school. Plus when I look for a ministerial position, I will have to find one that will fully pay this health insurance premium, a benefit that is becoming increasingly difficult to find. I am at great risk of winding up uninsured in the ensuing years unless something changes soon.

The coverage I have is not nearly as generous as what I had before with my late husband's provider. So the level and quality of health care I am getting has been diminished simply because my husband died. Not only have I lost my husband, but I am now in a much more vulnerable position for health problems in the future, since I am struggling to pay for the premium and the big deductible, all on a greatly diminished household income level. I feel I am being punished in some way by our broken health care system.

Instead of pouring money into Iraq, funds being used to kill and maim, we should spend the funds on helping all our people have equitable health care access and benefits.

Regarding prevention/screening: Please give attention to the fact that when people do have medical coverage and file a claim, insurance companies will use any and every excuse NOT to pay the claim. Case in point:
I had my first colonoscopy last Spring at the age of 57. (Overdue according to best prevention practice.) While my insurance is supposed to cover a "screening colonoscopy" up to $3000, and that is what I had agreed to and what the M.D. referred to it as, both in his office and immediately preceding the procedure, the insurance refused to pay at that level. (They covered 20% of the hospital bill and $1.57 of the M.D.'s bill.) The reason for refusing to pay $3000 is that, based on the physicians office notes, they called it a "diagnostic colonoscopy", claiming is fell under my deductable, because I have diverticulosis. They called it "surgery", eventhough there was no other procedure done than the colonoscopy (no cutting, no surgery) and my diverticulosis had been diagnosed many years ago. We have been appealing their decision for over 3 months with the support of the M.D. and our insurance broker. Meanwhile the hospital is making threatening noises about turning the bill over to collection. My position is:
1. They discriminating against me for having
a gastrointestinal disorder by refusing to
pay for an important cancer screening
procedure at the same level as for someone
who does not have such a disorder. At the
time of the procedure, the diverticulosis
was not in question, eventhough it was
mentioned in the M.D.'s notes; the purpose
of the procedure was to rule out
polyps/cancer.
2. By playing word games they are engaging in
what I consider to be the worst kind of con
artist flim-flamery since it involves
access to the identification of life
threatening illness.

This kind of treatment hardly encourages prevention! You can bet my husband, who will turn 60 next month, will not have a colonoscopy and I will not have another one while we are with this insurance company.
My husband runs a small business and struggles to keep medical insurance for us and 10 employees. We continually have to elect higher co-pays and/or deductables in order to keep premiums in a range we can pay.
We are currently paying over $1,100 each month for coverage for the two of us.

We do use preventive care such as mammograms, Pap tests, blood tests, colonoscopy. I understand those who are concerned about finding something though. We recently bought a franchise and had to get health insurance for ourselves. We had trouble getting someone to insure us as individuals because of some rather minor things we have had done in the last 5 years. I shudder to think what would happen if we had cancer, heart attack pr diabetes. As individuals we could never get affordable insurance. We currently pay $860.00/month for a family of 4 which includes dental insurance. We joined a Builders Association at a cost of $425.00/year to be insured as a group. Currently none of our employees want to sign on because they are insured by their spouse, but we cannot contribute alot to their coverage as a new business even if they did. Trying to get our own insurance was and is a frustrating and frightening experience, but it opened my eyes to what a mess health insurance is in this country. We should be able to do better so that people's lives are not consumed with worry over health issues while others take it for granted. An interesting book on the subject is "Health Care on Less than you Think" by Fred Brock. Scared me, but also gave me some important information.

I can understand exactly what you are saying..I have had no health insurance since 2004 so there is no way that I can afford to have all the "necessary" screenings for a person of my age...53. I am suppose to see a hematologist oncologist every three months but without insurance I cannot afford to do that. It is really sad when you see programs in Canada and the healthcare system that they have is so much better than ours. When are we all going to come together and say enough is enough.

Yes, my husband and I do use preventative services. He is 63 and I am 58, both retired, covered by an HSA. We were fortunate to get the HSA when we had no history of illiness. HSAs are great -- but you do need to be healthy! I have a regular mammogram, bone density, and blood work to monitor my thyroid. I see my GYN every year; I now see my dermatoligist every three months since having a melinoma removed this past February. Both of us have had a colonoscopy, having symptoms that allowed us to do so. Fortunately, we were both ok. When we got our HSA, my husband had a history of high cholestoral and coverage for that treatment was excluded. He has taken a more natural approach of exercise and diet so he does not take the medicine every day. So far that seems to be working. We believe that the best medicine is prevention and catching it early so that treatment is less costly and quicker. (My skin cancer is a prime example -- it was caught early because I had a 6 month appointment rather than a 1 year return appointment.) The insurance companies need to recognize this and cover more preventative procedures. We also invest in our health by eating better and getting regular exercise, to include weight training for bone strength.

We have not had coverage,since 1995. The coverage we CAN get,we can't afford, we go without,And paying cash for only most needed tests. Every 5 years a Mamo,pap tests and pray the results are good.No dental care,and no vision either, although I wear glass's, my checkups are also every 5 yrs.
We are not asking for facelifts, tummy tucks, just to feel safe and afforable coverage.

My father-in-law died from prostate and bladder cancer several years ago. He unfortunately,never had a PSA test. My husband has been having his PSA levels checked every year to 1 1/2 years because of his Dad. About 2 1/2 years ago, his PSA level was 1.4. About 1 1/2 years ago it was 2.4. Four weeks ago it measured 10.2 !! He had a biopsy last week and we found out he has prostate cancer that is considered to be moderately aggressive ( a 7 on the Gleason scale of 2 to 10). He had a CT scan yesterday and will have a bone scan on Monday to see if it has spread (just a formality). We meet with his urologist in a week, however, we are already making arrangements for him to go to an oncologist at Yale Cancer Center. We're not about to drag our feet when cancer is involved. WHAT if I hadn't pushed my husband to go for his physical and PSA test? It took me a few months to even get him to go (you know how men hate to go to the doctor and won't just suck it up and deal with it....unlike many of us women who also hate to go to doctors but are responsible with our bodies). Because it is considered to be an aggresive form of cancer, what if he waited too long??? We'll be finding out the answer to that question in the next several days. WHAT IF YOU MEN OUT THERE HAVE WAITED TOO LONG ??? How important is it to you to being around for your loved ones for decades to come??? PLEASE, PLEASE don't wait to get your physicals and PSA levels checked every 12 months.....not 18 months !!! Even though most prostate cancers are not aggressive, you can be one of those men, like my husband, who ends up having an aggressive form of cancer. I desperately want to spend the next 40 or so years with him (we're in our early 50's). Today we are celebrating our 32nd Anniversary. This is not how we thought we would be celebrating it. You wives out there, it may be up to you to get your husbands to go for the PSA test and have their prostates checked. I hope that we didn't wait a few months too late to stop my husband's cancer. I HOPE THAT YOU DON'T WAIT TOO LATE, EITHER !!!

I can not afford to use preventative services even though I am covered on Medicare, the prices that are charged over and above what medicare will pay, is so astronomical, Medicare might as well not even be there. For example, you go to the doctor, he charges $300. just to see you for anything, and Medicare will pay no more than $10. to $20. of any bill no matter how large or small the bill is, so what kind of medical help is that??? NONE! The Physicians in some states claim that if they charge more than what Medicare will pay (which is nothing comparatively), that they are suppose to wash the rest of the bill, WELL, in reality they do not, but what they do to you, is instead of sending you a bill to collect the rest of what they feel you owe them, they simply pay a team of office personnel to send the rest of the bill straight to all the credit bureaus, and then your credit is ruined for at least the next 7 years plus. I am loosing my home as a result of this scenario, and all because of heavy medical bill debt. I can not do a refinace to save my home, that I have had for over 20 years, and I now am going to be homeless as a result. I have no family at all left alive, as the only family I ever had are all dead from various health problems, INCLUDING the only child I had, she died as a result of me not being able to get her the medical help she needed. It really is a deep hurt to know that as an American, I am worthless and undeserving of life, but had I been born in a less wealthy country, me and the family I once had, might have had more of a chance. I am appalled to say the least at how we have NO RIGHTS TO LIFE, AND HEALTH in this country.

I'm 59 soon to be 60 and my husband is 76. I work and we have insurance, however, that is one of the only reasons I'm working now. I'm very concerned above my health insurance and how much COBRA will bee when I turn age 62. I also understand that COBRA only lasts for 18 months and then I'll need to go on something called CALCOBRA. The rates will go up even more at that time. Something must be done now. Why can't we retire? Why do we have to work just to ensure we have affordable? health coverage?? Coverage for all is what we need - this is just so unfair to all of us. Vote for the candidate that will address health care for ALL - not just children. We count too!

I believe very strongly in preventive health care. I have hypertention so I try to have regular checkups to check my blood pressure. Also since there is a history of diabetes in my family I have blood work done for glucose and cholesteral annually. Since I'm over 60 now I try to have a mammogram and pap smear done at least every two years as a precaution. It can be very expensive but I would like to try to alleviate potential problems beforehand if at all possible. I fear for my daughter because even though she has health insurance, it is not enough but thank God she is pretty healthy. She does try to get preventive care such a regular pap smears and blood work but the costs do add up. I hope she can continue to afford her premiums.

I am big believer in preventative services as, at the age of 20, I was diagnosed with Hodgins disease. Without early diagnosis and treatment, I would not be here today.

Besides, I would like the time I have remaining on this Earth to be good quality time and, hopefully, with as few medical issues as possible. Accordingly, I have regular screeings and checkups.

Lynn Flanagan

Had I have been able to get preventative health care earlier in my life, I would not have landed in hospitals 5 times, losing all of my large intestine, and many other life saving surgeries that totalled up to over a million dollars in debt. I now am loosing my home as a result of not being able to do a refinance to lower my monthly payment, because my credit scores are practically zero, as a result of medical debt I owe for saving my life. I spent 25 years of my life working in the medical field myself, helping save others lives, but in the eyes of the very medical community that I served for 25 years, I am considered a poor, lowly, medical indigent. I am on Medicare, HOWEVER, Medicare PAYS NOTHING MORE THAN 10-20 dollars of any medical bill regardless of how big or little the bill is, so I am even more baffled that we as Americans seem to believe that as long as we all have Medicare, we have Medical insurance & therefore will be able to get the medical care we need, and that just is not so at all. For the pennies that Medicare pays on any bill, it makes no difference, and the monthly fees I pay out of my social security check to have it, I could probably have PRIVATE INSURANCE, the only difference in Medicare & private insurance is: with Medicare, they pay their 10-20 dollars of the bill WITHOUT A LONG LONG FIGHT, and a private insurance company, will have you fighting for the next 3 years to get that piddly $20. payment to go towards your astronomical medical bill. In my community, there is not even a handful of doctors that will even see you at all if you have medicare. Every doctors office you go into has a big sign posted saying that they DO NOT TAKE MEDICARE PATIENTS AT ALL, and if you end up in the emergency room, while you are fighting for your life, there will be a paid hospital employee RIGHT IN YOUR FACE telling you that they do not accept medicare and that I will be resonsible for the bill in its entirety, and less than a week later, you get a bill in the mail for thousands of dollars. How can we allow this to happen to ourselves as citizens of the wealthiest nation on earth?

I have regular check ups at least once a year and always talk with the doctor on call if I feel there is a need for a doctor, these doctors are part of his staff that works with my family Doctor. This service is free and could avoid a office call. I always ask for free samples of any medications he per scribes. All doctors have them. The drug companies give them to them for nothing for distribution.

In 2002 I needed a major operation to fix a severe plumbing problem I had. The operation cost $30,000.00 and with no insurance and out of work it has now forced me to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. When are our elected officials in Washington going to do "WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE" instead of the big business lobbies and super rich people...this present administration is a disgrace to our people and the world!

My daughterage 35 each and son-n law don't because of no insurance.
Another son 42 years old doesn't see any reason to do.

I have had all of the pdreventive health care tthat my doctor has recommended I have had yearly mammograms I do the brerast self exam I have had the recommended colonoscopy a pre cancerous polyp was discovered and removed just in time benign breast lumps have been discovered and removed high blood pressure is monitored and controlled

Yes, I use preventive services, but the organ is PROSTATE, not prostrate, as you have spelled it! Or, maybe you mean to ask, "Do we use screening services while we are lying down?"

When I worked I had great insurance coverage and had regular mammograms, etc.;however, my father was diagnosed with incurable cancer (08/06) and my mother has Alzheimer's so I retired from work (20 years),kept the same insurance only now I pay almost $500 a month for it (1/2 my retirement check)instead of getting it for free and what they did not tell me was that once I moved to take care of my parents (from Jacksonville Fl to Panama City Fl)I was no longer an HMO but now a PPO so instead of being covered 100% I am only covered 80% and I now have to pay 20% of anything I have done. When my right leg and foot became numb I had an MRI and CT scan done per my doctor's request and ended up with a $3,000.00 bill I could not pay. I have a cyst growing between my L5 & S1 vertebra that is pressing on a nerve but I cannot afford surgery. My father passed away in March and I cannot leave my mother for very long as she insists on living alone but cannot do much for herself and medicare is all the insurance she has. My last mammogram when I was at work resulted in a biopsy and I was supposed to have a sonogram (recheck) the end of last year but my insurance said they would not pay for it, so I stopped having that done too. I am only 63 years old, my mother is 85 and just may out live me. I am paying too much for insurance that is doing me absolutely no good and now cannot change because the diagnosis on my back is now considered a pre-exsting condition. Why cannot out government set some kind of standard on insurance costs, especially for seniors and people who don't make 30K+ or more a year.

We retired 2 1/2 yrs. ago. My husband's company agreed to pay 45% of our health insurance premium but the cost was still $548 a month! We could have paid that for a while but in ten years it would have depleted our retirement savings. My husband is 62 now and I am 55. We're just having to take our chances by not having insurance. What we do for preventive care is take advantage of our local Public Health Dept., health fairs, etc. I get a Pap and Mammogram annually without charge by doing this. I have my own glucometer & electronic blood pressure cuff. We try to watch our diets, exercise regularly and to avoid high-risk activities.

What we would like to see happen is for middle-aged people who have retired early like ourselves to be able to buy into the Medicare system by age 55 in order to bridge the gap. This would be affordable for many without risking their life's earnings.

I suspect that what will have to happen is that Medicare and Medicaid will be rolled into a universal health care plan that the general population will buy into. But that will only be economically feasible if management costs are contained. If insurance companies like we have now try to manage it they will ruin it, too by driving up the cost.

I am 78 years old. Seven years ago my doctor
told me that he did not advise me to take a
mammagram because mammagrams do not extend the
lives of women past 70. Eight years ago I was
admitted to the hospital with extreme anemia
due to a small irritation in my stomach, no
polyps, one diverticulum, otherwise good blood
results.I had taken nutritional supplements for 30 years which cured me of persistent respiratory infections, rheumatoid arthritis,
need for estrogen after complete historectomy
at age 37 for endometrosis, and need for thyroxin for thyroid nodules. During those
30 years I took no medication of any kind, not
even an aspirin. When money was low, I went off supplements and once again my healthy fell
apart with the low hemoglobin followed by temporal arteritis. I once again began taking
supplements with updates for the elderly and
have been in excellent health since except for
an accident in which I cut a large gash in my
leg which got infected. I was given a penicillin-type medication which caused liver damage which caused atrial fibrillation. I increased my vitamin C taking a large amount
throughout the day and night along with all
the essential nutrients and others for the
elderly and kicked the fibrillation as proven by a heart monitor and all the mediation.

Both my wife & I get yearly physicals. She has insurance thru her employer and I thru Select Care of Texas (Medicare advantage Health Care).

I am concerned about what the PROFESSIONAL POLITIANS in WASHINGTON do with SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE. The majority of them can't see beyond the end of their noses. UNFORTUNATELY THIS INCLUDES THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES!

I am out of a job, and have no medical coverage of any type. This country needs comprehessive medical coverage for all Americans!

I have used a number of preventive activities over the years. Certainly I have had mammograms and Pap smears as recommended, and sometimes I have reminded the doctors when they did not mention it.

I also try to exercise, manage a healthy diet, and spend quite a bit of money on preventive diet supplements and holistic treatments. Some of the latter have come at the suggestion of a holistic doctor, but it is not always convenient or possible to find such a doctor within one's network. Of course, some systems, such as Kaiser, have become more willing to recommend non-medical or over-the-counter treatments for some conditions in recent years.

At age 68, my health has generally been good, up until some very recent problems. I resent the fact that there is little in the way of tax relief or insurance coverage for using products out of pocket that may very well have kept me out of expensive medical treatment for many years.

I also resent the fact that the preventive activity of stress management is almost always viewed as a responsibility of the employee/customer of the medical system. I have used some stress reduction techniques but at some point the stress of a very repressive work environment (within the human services field) and all the other complexities of modern life overwhelmed my own coping tools. Using the American medical system adds to the stress with paperwork, doctors too busy to listen, the need for complex referrals, etc. A single payer plan would go a long way toward reducing the stress. I also believe employers need to be held more accountable for the stress managment supports by under-paying and over-working line staff and by enforcing certain policies and treament modalities that are in vogue at the moment but that do not square with the experience and needs of staff and clients/customers.

Linda Muralidharan
Schenectady, N.Y.

Because I get Medicare, I get regular mammograms and try to get pap smears. Having to wait for 4 yrs to get my THR I could not get a pap smear.
AARP should not be representing illegal aliens and those who refuse to assimilate.

My husband and I both use preventative services as we are both over the age of 60. I just had a colonoscopy performed about 3 weeks ago, my very first one. I am very fortunate to be able to have these tests done because of good health insurance but the premiums are not cheap by a long shot.
Something has to be done to our health system in order for all senior citizens to be able to afford these tests or procedures. If these tests etc. were made affordable, diseases could be caught earlier therefore extending a better quality of life for people.

We do get preventive care. You need to check your spelling - "prostate", not "prostrate"

My wife and I both do preventative care. She with yearly Mammograms, and I Prostrate exams. I was one of the lucky ones. Last year I Underwent Prostrate treatment. I count myself a Survivor. My PSA count had gone up from 1.9 to 2.7. THis was enough for my doctor to send me to my urologist. He did a rectal exam and found a small lump. The biopsy confirmed cancer. I did 45 treatments of external radiation which was recommended by my oncologist. I am now cancer free. This because of preventative examination.

The only preventative care I do is mammograms every three years because I have breat cancer in the family. I can not afford, even with "State of Texas Health pool Insurance" through Blue Cross that costs me $715/mth to do preventative care. With this insurance I ONLY get 3 doctor visits at $30 per year. And now my doctor won't renew my regular monthly medicatins without me coming in 2 to 3 times a years for blood tests. Well that takes up my 3 doctor visits a year. I'm 56 yr old and have NEVER had to have this many blood test per years just to maintain medications that have been perscribed by specialist as necessary medications. I think this is a way to rip off the insurance companies which in turn up premiums and not except claims... and the vicious cycle continues. I think there should be a state by state complaint method and legal ethics/business practises board ... just like in Texas there is a method to complain about bad experiences with lawyers. I've had several bad incidenses with doctors and no where of concequence to report it to.
Diane Mosley, Brownwood, Texas, 76801

do't use preventative care measures for the same reason we don't go to the hospital or doctors. it is because we dont have medical care(that normally is provided by employers) and getting private medical insurance is above the limits of most peoples budgets . so , we sit with no medical coverage and no way to get health care when needed. we are living in one of(if not the richest country)_ in the world, yet other countries can afford to take care of their people (look at canada and russia )just for starters,yet our government ,year after year, steadfastly refuses to do anything to take care of the people it is hired to represent. its all about their own self interests. it makes me sick to know that year after year, more and more people are left with no way to get health care.really, it makes me want to live in another country.

I am a widow and yes I do have a mammogram and a pap smear every year but I am unable to find any long term care insurance that I can affort. I don't have a mortgage on my condo but I do pay taxes and get a break from Star program in New York. I pray that I never need nursing home care as I do not want to burden my children. I hope to stay in my home until my life is over. Even using Home Health care aids seems to be an added problem now for people who feel like I do. Seniors need help from their government. We are all very patriotic. God Bless America.

As President Bush was completing his colonoscopy and all Americans were being reminded of the need for this when polyps are found, I was writing the check to cover my colonoscopy, even though I had the same condition as the president. My insurance didn't cover this procedure for me.

And I only have mammograms every third year since again, insurance doesn't cover prevention.

Even though we now have Medicare and Tricare we still visit our GP regularly for check ups and physicals at our out of pocket expense. We also belong to a heath and exercise club and are very careful in our diet. When dining out we try to eat to only 80% of being full and take the rest of the meal home.

Wisely, I made a career of the US Navy and now have Tricare for Life as well as Medicare Health Care. My wife and I have regular yearly check-ups. Thankfully, no real problems have been found.
We are a firm believer of Preventive Medicine.

How do you see preventive health care as keeping people out of doctors' offices and hospitals? The hopitals and doctors offices in Canada are backed up with preventive health care patients, people that are not sick, and those that require treatment are put on waiting lists??? Is this better?

Insurance was founded FOR THE "sharing of expenditures" in the event of a "catastophe". Ours concerns should be the folks that need major heart sugery, have cancer or other devasting diseases. When these folks are turned away due to cost, that is the bigger issue. Isn't that what insurance should cover, the catastrophic events. Most people don't go broke over a preventive care issue. If someone is ill, we should do all we can to cure them!