Senate Democrats Say Prevention Essential For Health Care Reform

By Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Tom Udall (D-NM) said Wednesday that health care reform legislation must include extensive measures to promote wellness and prevention.

“As I have said many times… we currently do not have a health care system in America, we have a sick care system,” Harkin said.

The Iowa Senator explained that simply treating illness after diagnosis is much more costly than using the same money to promote preventative treatment.

“Our aim is to recreate America as a genuine wellness society, a society focused on healthy lifestyle and preventing the chronic diseases that take suck a toll on our bodies and our budgets,” Harkin said.

Both Harkin and Udall have been long time advocates of promoting prevention, claiming that for every dollar invested in wellness, several dollars used for expensive treatments are saved.

“Our current system is clearly broken and unsustainable. We really have a disease management system,” Udall said. “We really must get out in front of these diseases.”

Harkin maintained during the press conference that both the Senate and House bills will be done and in conference by Christmas.