Carol Shea-Porter Stands for Access to Preventive Care

by: Dean Barker

Sat Jul 17, 2010 at 08:13:39 AM EDT

Did you know that the new health care law that Carol Shea-Porter worked so hard to pass (despite it being a less progressive bill - with a public option - than she would have wanted) will allow for no cost preventive care in some instances? (email)

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today released the following statement regarding the announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services that new health care plans must cover preventive services at no cost to the patient.
"The health care reform package enacted in March is already helping Granite Staters," said Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter. "These newly enacted provisions will allow patients to receive free preventive care, which lowers medical costs and helps Americans lead healthier lives."

Depending on age and health risks, the types of preventive services that will be available without a deductible, co-pay or co-insurance under these new provisions include:

Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests;

Many cancer screenings;

Routine vaccines for diseases such as measles, polio, or meningitis;

Flu and pneumonia shots;

Counseling, screening and vaccines for healthy pregnancies; and

Regular well-baby and well-child visits, from birth to age 21.

This is a no-brainer. If people can afford to go to the doctor for preventive care, they will spend far less later. And of course the larger point: early detection is key to better health and longevity.

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