John Edwards campaign Official Response about REQUIRED preventative care

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Forum Name General Discussion: Politics
Topic subject John Edwards campaign Official Response about REQUIRED preventative care
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3498895#3498895
3498895, John Edwards campaign Official Response about REQUIRED preventative care
Posted by jsamuel on Wed Sep-05-07 03:03 PM

On the record from the campaign (email correspondence):
"Senator Edwards believes it is critically important to take preventive steps that help reduce health care costs and prevent disease. The truth is many people do not currently seek medical services because they aren't covered or can't afford to see a doctor. That is why Edwards' universal health care plan would require most insurers to cover preventive measures at low or no cost. Though incentives like lower premiums, the Edwards plan would also encourage people to use preventive health care, from checkups to cancer screenings, which will result in lower costs for both the individual and the country."


as posted in other threads, his plan says exactly that. When he spoke of mandated preventative care, he was mandating that it be covered by the insurers, not that it be followed by the subscribers.


This confirms what is on John Edwards website:
(2) Invest in Preventive Care and Health. Study after study shows that primary and preventive care
greatly reduces future health care costs, as well as increasing patients’ health, but our health care
system is focused on treating diseases, not preventing them. Insurance companies have little incentive
to bear these costs. As a result, many people do not receive preventive care such as tests and
immunizations. Other Americans suffer from preventable, chronic conditions that can lead to
complications and disability. Edwards will help Health Care Markets lead the effort to realign
incentives in the health care system that reward healthier outcomes and lower costs.

• Promote Preventive Care: Health Care Markets will offer primary and preventive services at
little or no cost. Incentives like lower premiums will reward individuals who schedule free
physicals and enroll in healthy living programs. Edwards will also support community efforts to
improve health, such as safe streets, walking and biking trails, safe and well-equipped parks, and
physical education programs for children.

http://www.johnedwards.com/about/issues/health-care-overview.pdf

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