Healthcare reform must aggressively tackle chronic diseases

Senator Kennedy has it absolutely right in commenting on policy changes to rein in the health care system. He is quoted in 'The Hill' as saying " reducing the cost and improving the quality of healthcare in the United States cannot be accomplished without changing the way patients with chronic diseases are treated and the way medical providers are paid. He is joined by Dr. Carmona, former Surgeon General who says “We are obviously not doing enough to reward real value in healthcare,” pointing out that treatments for the chronically ill with conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure consume a grossly disproportionate share of the nation’s spending on healthcare. Seventy-five cents of every dollar you’re spending on healthcare is on chronic disease, much of which is preventable.” With healthcare costs continuing to mount, rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes rising and the Baby Boom generation advancing in age, the situation will deteriorate without change, he cautioned. “The bank is breaking now and it’s only going to get worse.”