Calling primary care physicians the proper base of the health care pyramid, Daschle would like to see more incentives given to primary and wellness care.
Daschle testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions as part of his confirmation process.
Daschle described payment reform and academic tuition assistance to the committee "as 'tools' for turning the health care system around, saying they both are ways of encouraging medical students to pursue careers in the primary care field,"according to the AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) News.
Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D., R-Okla., agreed, saying prevention "does not happen in this country because we don't pay for it." The only way to lower Medicare costs in the long term is through the prevention of chronic diseases, not just the treatment of those diseases, Coburn said.
What Does This Mean for Wellness Professionals?
It's great to see the government and medical professionals start to support the importance of wellness, not just disease treatment.
And all of the attention about the cost effectiveness of prevention may create a "teachable moment" in your workplace--a chance to sell wellness to stakeholders who want to control healthcare costs.
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