News

August 25, 2011

Letters to the Editor
New York Times
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018

To theEditor:
One of those penny wise and pound foolish Medicare cuts that Emanuel and Liebman Cut Medicare, Help Patients," August 22 warn about is unfortunately now being given serious consideration by Congress. That is, to make Medicare patients pay more for the preventive lab tests they need to manage such chronic diseases as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney ailments. This despite the fact that such diseases currently constitute some 75% of all health spending-and the costs of prevention are miniscule compared to the costs of treatment. A blood test for diabetes costs about $7.50, while kidney dialysis that can result from diabetes costs about $70,000 per year. Congress could save a lot more money by making it easier-not harder-for seniors to get the preventive testing they need.

Sincerely,

Alan Mertz
President
American Clinical Laboratory Association
1100 New York Avenue, Suite 725-W
Washington, DC 20005

202-637-9466