I am a health professional and researcher so when I tell you that most illness is 60% preventable, I know what I’m talking about. By making even small incremental changes in lifestyle, a person’s health is sure to improve. For example, the loss of a few unwanted pounds may help lower a high blood pressure or prevent Type 2 diabetes. Doing weight bearing exercise or walking vigorously each day discourages the development of osteoporosis

Seniors especially have a responsibility to make these health related changes because Medicare is one of the most costly drains on our national budget. In 2010, Medicare alone cost the nation $468 billion. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance combined took another $285 billion. Together, that accounts for 1/5 of the national budget!

As caring citizens, we seniors MUST do our part to help decrease our national debt by doing what we can, little by little, to prevent ourselves from unnecessary illness. This is why I am so appreciative that the Health Reform Act emphasizes prevention. Here is the provision which I have taken right out of the government document:

“Preventive Care under Medicare Eliminates co-payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program. Effective beginning January 1, 2011.”

This means that seniors can now get preventive health exams without worrying about a co-pay or deductibles. This is a great incentive and an opportunity for doctors (or qualified health professionals) to educate their senior patients about how to take better care of their health in order to prevent illness and thereby actively participate in the economic recovery of our nation.