How America Can Feel Great And Spend Less

Thursday, March 1, 2001

How America Can Feel Great And Spend Less (NAPSA)—New treatment methods have helped people with heart disease live more active and more healthylives. For example, today, Betty Sanks enjoys walking around her Brooklyn neighborhood. Two years ago, it was a different story. She could hardly climb the stairs or walk around the block because of her heartdisease. Fortunately, Sanks received one of the most advanced heart disease treatments available—a minimally invasive procedure called intravascular radiation. The simple, 40-minute treatment changedherlife. Fifty years ago, people with Sanks’ condition werenot as fortu- nate. Those surviving heart attacks were sent home to bed and an uncertain future. Even in the early 1990s, the only option to treat diseased arteries was a risky open heart surgery. The surgery required at least a nine day hospital stay and a month’s recovery time at home. The benefits of new medical tech- nologies, however, extend beyond good health. They help keep health- care costs down aswell. A recent study found that thanks in part to new technology, there are 2.4 million fewer disabled New medical technology helps save Medicarebillions of dollars annually. arteries costs just over $20,000, while open heart surgery costs just under $50,000. Similarly, technologies such as telemedicine, that let doctors monitor and even treat patientsin a different location, promise to cut costs and increase the time healthcare professionals can spend with patients, doctors say. Telemedicine costs $30 a day, while nursing care costs about $100 a day and some hospitals cost over $800 daily. An additional study found medical advances can be healthy for the economy as well. The study reported the benefits of advanced medical techniques in just two areas—infant mortality and im- seniors today than wasprojected. The decline in disability means big savings for Medicare. The researchers reported that today’s healthier seniors help Medicare save over $19 billion in annual nursing costs alone. Over the next few decades, these savings could completely offset proved heart attack treatment— population, say experts. Less invasive treatments play use new technology, they are not just keeping patients healthy, savings. For example, balloon angioplasty for opening clogged the arm aswell. the increasing costs ofAmerica’s aging a big part in the new Medicare are so great they “alone are about equal to the entire cost increase of medical care over time.” People can improve their odds of living longer, healthier lives by making sure doctors give them the most advanced tests and treatments available. When doctors they’re reducing healthcare costs and giving the economy a shot in

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