And the candidates have also proffered a variety of solutions for the high cost of prescription drugs. This is a problem that threatens the solvency of Medicare, not to mention the wallets of millions of Americans who need expensive life saving medications.
The candidates have offered a variety of creative approaches to this massive problem - from allowing the importation of drugs from Canada and overseas, to allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with the pharmaceutical companies.
However, I think it's important that we take a hard look at how to prevent the very medical problems that require expensive medical care. How many of us exercise every day? How many of us watch our diet, get the recommended screening tests and immunizations?
In 2000, nearly half of all deaths were caused by bad habits such as tobacco abuse, lack of physical exercise and obesity.
I hope that as part of any overhaul of the American healthcare system, that prevention will be an important focus. Healthy lifestyle habits save lives ... and dollars.
